TROPICAL UPDATE: Here's the latest 11 PM position for #Bertha# from the NHC. Based on land and water obs, however, it appears that the center is unraveling, becoming elongated and trying to form a new one under all the convection and closer to the mid-level circulation. Interestingly, several models have already decided to ditch the old center and are focusing on the new one. The wind streams I picked below are from the GFS, which I feel represents the current situation fairly well in my opinion. We'll see in the morning which one becomes more dominant.

WOW! Quick water level rise along the New Orleans Lakefront as Tropical Storm Bertha’s north/northeasterly winds pushed water onshore at the New Canal Lighthouse! The NOAA weather station is reporting a ~2ft water level rise so far and wind gusts at the lakefront 40-50mph. @wdsu

FLORIDA LIGHTNING! ⚡️ Here’s a classic example of how lightning can strike upwards of 10 to even 25 miles away from a parent thunderstorm. Also known as a “bolt from the blue” (or black in this case at night). This was recently in Sarasota. Great reminder that when thunder roars, go indoors! Credit: Dylan Jon Wade Cox @DJWCphoto

Hey northern friends, sharing is caring. Taste of Fall tonight for the Midwest and Northeast as cooler and drier weather moves in. Don't worry Florida, we will get ours...in 3 months.

#BREAKING#: Tropical Storm #Bertha# has made landfall with 45 mph wind in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It also brought a storm surge of 2 - 4 feet from the Florida Panhandle across to eastern Louisiana. Overall impacts so far have thankfully been minimal. From here, Bertha will head towards Texas as either a leftover rainmaker or as a tropical system. *IF* it can form a new center closer to where most of the storms are right now in the Gulf, Texas would have a greater chance of seeing tropical storm conditions on Thursday into early Friday. Some models suggest that, but not all do. We’ll see how things play out.

Tropical Storm #Bertha# is kicking up some big waves along the Florida Panhandle and the dolphins are loving it! This is Navarre Beach, where winds at times have been gusting over 40 mph! Credit: Beautiful Moments Photography

#Bertha# is such a hot, sheared mess right now that the mid-level circulation is roughly 150 miles away from surface circulation. It's possible to see a center reformation closer to the (yellow) mid-level circulation, which would bump up chances for tropical storm conditions to Texas. We'll see how things play out.

The Berger Fire in Palm Beach County is continuing to grow in size, with current acreage at around 14,300! Interesting to see no fire crews fighting it. #flwx# @NWSMiami @FLStormChasers_ @MattDevittWX @CfishFL @BrandonOrrWPLG @DylanFedericoWX

We need to get better at how we communicate tropical storm/hurricane hazards. With most products, a watch connotes possibility, and a warning represents likelihood. Having a tropical storm warning up for 10-15 mph winds is confusing, silly and pointless.

TROPICAL UPDATE: Tropical Storm #Bertha# is up to 60 mph today despite high wind shear and dry air, but weakening is still expected ahead. By Wednesday, it will be making a likely tropical storm landfall in Louisiana. Here's the latest: 1) Bertha is basically half of a storm right now thanks to high wind shear and dry air, with an exposed center and most of the storms on the southern side. Considering the water temps right now, if we didn't have the shear, good chance Bertha would be a hurricane by now. Luckily for the Gulf, it's not. 2) Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the Florida Panhandle to eastern Louisiana. Storm surge of 1 - 3 feet, isolated 4 feet, will be possible. 3) Lopsided Bertha will keep most of the rainfall and flooding potential on the southern side...which includes the open Gulf and southern Louisiana. 4) If Bertha's track takes it more over land, it may fall apart before even trying to head back into the Gulf. If it spends less time over land, there would be a potential 2nd landfall over Texas as a weak tropical system. 5) We'll start to see our breezy wind across the Florida Peninsula gradually lower by Wednesday. For the Panhandle, by Thursday into Friday. Make sure to check for updates on this page with no hype, just the facts. Thanks all! - Matt Devitt Weather

POWERFUL STRIKE! ⚡️😳 Wait for it...boom! Incredible video showing a huge bolt of lightning striking a tree in Jensen Beach, Florida. Credit: Stephen Anstensen @spann @stormhour @JimCantore

SUMMER SNOW! ❄️🥶 A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect this weekend into Monday for parts of Montana and Idado. As much as 8 - 16" of snow will be possible in the higher elevations. If you're looking for a break from the heat, that's the place to visit!