Hurricane Bertha nearly stationary

MIAMI, July 12 (UPI) -- Hurricane Bertha weakened slightly Saturday as it meandered in the Atlantic Ocean more than 200 miles southeast of Bermuda.

The storm was expected to begin "drifting" north late Saturday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. A tropical storm warning was in force for Bermuda, meaning that tropical storm conditions were likely to be felt in less than 24 hours. Bertha was expected to pass south and east of the island without hitting it full strength.

At 5 p.m., Bertha was about 210 miles southeast of Bermuda.

The storm became weaker during the day with maximum sustained winds dropping to 75 mph with higher gusts.

Hurricane force winds extended outward up to 35 miles and tropical storm force winds reached out 140 miles, the hurricane center's report said.

Large waves from Bertha's outer bands began hitting Bermuda Thursday, and the island was expected to see as much as two inches of rain in the next two days, forecasters said.