Message #90859

[Bianca]

                                     Hurricane Bertha could strengthen in coming days





Wed Jul 9, 2008

MIAMI - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha could become slightly stronger in the next couple of days as it heads toward Bermuda.
 
As of about 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday, the center of the storm was about 560 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and about 790 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are about 75 mph with some higher gusting. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say it wouldn't be surprising if the storm re-strengthened in the next 48 hours.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane is traveling northwest at about 10 mph.

Bertha is expected to continue its path toward Bermuda. Forecasters have been urging people on the island to monitor the storm's progress.

It's unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall.