MIAMI (AP) -- Bertha has weakened to a tropical storm just a day after becoming a hurricane as it moves northward in the Atlantic, posing no direct threat to the U.S. East Coast.<br />
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The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased to near 65 mph (100 kph) early Tuesday with gradual weakening expected over the next two days.<br />
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The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Bertha is forecast to pass midway between the East Coast and Bermuda later in the morning.<br />
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The storm is centered about 475 miles (765 kilometers) west of Bermuda and is moving north-northeast near 22 mph (35 kph).<br />
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On Sunday, the storm buffeted parts of the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos with rain and gusty winds, after passing over the Dominican Republic. Earlier, it dumped rain on Puerto Rico.
