Tropical Storm Bertha Nears Barbados

Tropical Storm Bertha has formed, becoming the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and other nearby islands.

The U.S. Hurricane Center in Miami said the tropical storm's maximum sustained winds Friday morning were near 45 mph, with no significant change in strength expected over the next two days.

Bertha is centered about 170 miles east of Barbados and is moving west-northwest near 20 mph.

In addition to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, tropical storm warnings are in effect for Babados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Vieques and Culebra. A tropical storm watch is in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Bertha was expected to pass near Barbados on Friday afternoon and travel through the central Lesser Antilles on Friday evening.