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Tropical Storm Bertha
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Alberto satellite
Bertha at peak intensity on July 4
Formed July 2, 2020
Dissipated July 6, 2020
(Extratropical after July 4)
Highest winds 1-minute sustained:
70 mph (110 km/h)
Gusts:
80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure 989 mbar (hPa); 29.21 inHg
Fatalities 2
Damage $200,000 (2020 USD)
Areas affected Yucatan, Florida
Part of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Bertha was a fast moving tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall to areas of central and northern Florida in early July 2020. The second named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Bertha originated from a combination of the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur and a low-pressure area in the Bay of Campeche on July 2. Initially drifting northward, a shortwave trough forced the system northeast; Bertha intensified to tropical storm intensity on July 3. Continuing to strengthen, Bertha peaked in intensity shortly before making landfall on Tampa, Florida midday on July 4. As it crossed the Florida peninsula, Bertha weakened and became more frontal in structure. As such it was classified as an extratropical cyclone on July 4; these remnants dissipated by July 6.

As a precursor disturbance and tropical depression, Bertha brought light to moderate rainfall to areas of the Yucatan Peninsula, benefiting an ongoing drought there. Upon landfall on the Tampa Peninsula, Bertha became the first tropical cyclone of tropical storm intensity to directly strike the peninsula from the west since the fourth storm of 1899. As much of the rain was concentrated to the north of the circulation center, torrential rain fell in northern portions of the state, causing widespread flooding. Overall, the storm caused $200,000 in damage and two deaths, both offshore the western Florida coast.

Meteorological history[]

Tropical Storm Bertha (2020-CobraStrike) Track

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key
   Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
   Tropical storm (39–54 mph, 63–87 km/h)
   Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
   Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
   Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
   Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
   Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Storm type
▲ Extratropical cyclone / remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On June 22, the low-pressure area once associated with Tropical Storm Arthur degenerated into an open wave in the central Caribbean Sea. Initially devoid of deep convective activity, the wave slowly tracked westward. Four days later, a surface trough developed and remained stationary in the Bay of Campeche. The tropical wave encountered the surface trough on June 28. A burst in convection and organization ensued as the two systems consolidated to form a low-pressure area. At this time, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring the system for potential signs of development, and at 1200 UTC on July 2, the storm system sufficiently organized to be classified as a tropical depression.

Upon cyclogenesis, the depression tracked north-northeastward. However, an unusually deep mid-latitude trough cutting over the western Atlantic later forced the cyclone to accelerate northeast. Although wind shear was moderate at the time, the tropical depression continued to intensify, and reached tropical storm strength by 1200 UTC on July 3, while located roughly 330 mi (530 km) south of New Orleans. However, much of Bertha's convection was displaced to the north, exposing the storm's circulation center. Intensification was gradual afterwards, and Bertha peaked in strength at 0600 UTC on July 4 with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 989 mbar (hPa; 29.21 inHg). At the same intensity, the storm made landfall on Indian Shores, Florida at 1245 UTC, followed by a second landfall on South Tampa and a final landfall on Gibsonton.

Over the Florida peninsula on July 4, Bertha slightly weakened, though it had greatly expanded in size and was becoming frontal in nature. Upon its reemergence into the Atlantic at 2100 UTC, cyclone phase analysis had indicated that the tropical cyclone was nearly a cold-core system. At 0000 UTC the following day, Bertha was analyzed to have fully transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, though it still had winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). These remnants persisted until 0000 UTC on July 6, by which time it was absorbed by another low-pressure area.

Preparations and impact[]

Tropical Storm Bertha rainfall (2020-CS)

Rainfall totals in Florida

Gallery[]

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