Tropical Storm Bertha threatens New Orleans as 2026 hurricane season stays weak

Tropical Storm Bertha has intensified in the Gulf of Mexico and is projected to move toward the Louisiana coast, with a possible direct hit on New Orleans later this week. Forecasts call for sustained winds of 40‑60 mph, up to eight inches of rain, and storm surges of up to three feet along a 400‑mile stretch from Florida to western Louisiana. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and officials warn of dangerous flooding, hazardous surf and the risk of capsizing vessels.

The storm follows a quiet start to the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which has produced only two named storms—Arthur and Bertha—both of modest intensity. Seasonal forecasters attribute the subdued activity to a rapidly strengthening El Niño that is increasing wind shear across the Atlantic. The latest outlook from Colorado State University predicts nine named storms and four hurricanes for the year, about 40 % of normal accumulated cyclone energy.