x
Breaking News
More () »

Bertha becomes post-tropical cyclone

This is the second named storm that has formed before the official start of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

TAMPA, Fla — Post-tropical cyclone Bertha was gone almost as quickly as she formed. The storm was no longer tropical as of Thursday morning. 

Tropical Storm Bertha has made landfall along the South Carolina coast, about 20 miles east of Charleston Wednesday.

It had sustained winds of 50 mph.

Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach says the only other years on record with a second named storm on record this soon are 1887, 1908, 1951 and 2012. 

Several projections of the upcoming season, including Colorado State University, Penn State University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and AccuWeather are forecasting an above-average season--largely because of warm sea surface temperatures and the lack of El Niño.

Remember: It only takes one hurricane to turn an otherwise quiet season into one for the history books, so be prepared.

Spaghetti models

Each line represents a computer model's best "guess" of where the center of the system will go. Together, they look like "spaghetti." Remember, impacts from a tropical system can and do occur miles away from the center.

App users -- tap here if you cannot see the image below.

Tropical track

This is the latest "cone of uncertainty," which shows an area where the center of the system could go, when and how strong it might be at the given time.

App users -- tap here if you cannot see the image below.


Watches and warnings

What's a watch? What's a warning? Here are the official alerts that can be issued for your area and what you should do.

App users -- tap here if you cannot see the image below.

RELATED: Florida's tax holiday on hurricane supplies begins Friday

RELATED: NOAA predicts 'busy' season with 3-6 major hurricanes

What other people are reading right now:

FREE 10 TAMPA BAY APP: 

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter

Before You Leave, Check This Out