Bertha Becomes 2008 Atlantic Season’s First Hurricane

The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory this morning that Bertha has developed into the season’s first hurricane in the open Atlantic Ocean.

The center said Bertha is not an immediate threat to land.

At 5 a.m. EST, the center of Bertha was East of the Northern Leeward Islands moving West-Northwest. Its maximum winds are near 75 m.p.h.

Officials said they expect Bertha to remain over the waters of the central tropcial Atlantic for the next few days.

The center’s advisory said it is too early to tell if Bertha will eventually affect any land areas.

Dr. Steve Smith, an atmospheric physicist with ReAdvisory, Carvill Reinsurance Intermediary’s analytical arm, said Bertha is unlikely to be a threat to the U.S. but may pose a threat to Bermuda by the weekend.