The Atlantic hurricane season may be starting to gather momentum.
Tropical Storm Bertha is moving across the northern Gulf of Mexico, with NOAA satellite imagery tracking the system as it travels along the coastline.
It's not the biggest weather story in the world right now, but meteorologists are keeping a close eye on it for one reason: the Gulf's unusually warm waters.
Warm ocean temperatures act as fuel for tropical systems, giving storms the potential to strengthen more quickly under favorable conditions. That doesn't mean Bertha will necessarily become a major hurricane, but it does make the storm worth monitoring.
Communities along the Gulf Coast are being advised to stay updated on official forecasts, as tropical systems can change track or intensity over a short period.
With the Atlantic hurricane season now in full swing, Bertha serves as an early reminder that coastal weather can evolve rapidly—and that even smaller storms deserve close attention until they're safely out of the region.