Tropical Storm Bertha became a hurricane early today, spinning up with top sustained winds of 90 mph. It could become a Category 2 storm before the day is out. Bertha is still far out in the Atlantic, and no immediate threat to land. But while we wait to see where the winds take her, we can amuse ourselves with coincidences.

This is not the first Bertha to come along. The National Hurricane Center notes that another Bertha formed on almost exactly this date in 1996 - also far out in the tropical Atlantic (as opposed to the Caribbean, which is more common at this time of year).

That Bertha tracked somewhat south of this year's Bertha, and came ashore near Wilmington, N.C. It caused eight deaths and $250 million in damage in the U.S. Here is the full report on Bertha 1996. It also had some impact in Maryland, including 5 inches of rain on the Eastern Shore (2.2 inches at BWI). Anybody remember Bertha '96?

There was also a Tropical Storm Bertha in August 2002 that menaced the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana. The name lists are recycled every six years. Only the most deadly and destructive storms have their names retired. 

Meanwhile, Bertha '08 is steaming across the Atlantic, headed west northwest. Depending on which storm track projection you see, it could swing north and smack Bermuda, or make its turn later and affect the U.S. East Coast. Here's the latest advisory. Here's the latest storm track forecast. And here's the satellite loop. 

For a discussion of the forces that could influence Bertha's track, drop by AccuWeather.com

Wherever she goes, Bertha is likely to make for rough seas. A track toward Bermuda could mean extra trouble for passengers due to embark in Baltimore on Saturday for next week's Norwegian Cruise Lines voyage to Bermuda. Is that you? Read more at the "What's the Deal" Blog.

On the other hand, a more muscular Bertha could pay dividends for a certain Fells Point watering hole and its patrons. Check out Sam Sessa's Midnight Sun blog.