MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Tropical Depression Two strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha this evening. It now has sustained winds of 40 mph.

This Evening

It’s a pretty hot afternoon around Middle Georgia under partly sunny skies. Some isolated storm activity is expected through the evening as outer bands associated with Tropical Storm Bertha push northeast. These storms are most likely to impact the southwestern counties of Middle Georgia. A few strong wind gusts will be possible. Temperatures overnight will drop into the low to mid 70s as the wind flows from the south-southeast around 5-10 mph. Overnight skies should be relatively clear.

Tomorrow

Tuesday should be pretty similar to Monday with partly cloudy conditions expected through the afternoon with temperatures peaking in the low to mid 90s. Real feels will creep towards 100 in most of the region with the hottest spots eclipsing it. Isolated storms are likely over the latter half of the day. Expect a breezy afternoon with winds ranging from 5-15 mph out of the south-southeast. Gusts will likely push over 20 mph.

Overnight will be mostly clear again with temperatures reaching their valleys in the low to mid 70s. The wind will flow from the south-southeast at around 5-10 mph. Rain is unlikely through the overnight hours.

Wednesday and Beyond

Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to meander west slowly throughout this week as it skirts along the Gulf Coast in Florida/Alabama/Mississippi. This should lead to dropping rain odds through the middle of the week. However a cold front arriving from the north over the latter half of the week is likely to stall out, bringing increased rain odds, more cloud cover, and cooler temperatures leading into the coming weekend.

Follow Chief Meteorologist Aaron Lowery on Facebook (Aaron Lowery 41NBC) and X (@ALowWX) for weather updates throughout the day. Also, you can watch his forecasts Monday through Friday on 41NBC News at 4, 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m.