Tropical Depression 2 forms off Florida coast, forecast to become Tropical Storm Bertha

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel on Jul 19, 2026

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Tropical Depression Two formed off Florida’s west coast Sunday, forecast to become Tropical Storm Bertha as it heads up to the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of the NHC’s 11 a.m. advisory, the center of TD 2 was located about 155 miles south of Panama City moving north-northwest at 2 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

A tropical storm watch has been issued in Florida from the Ochlockonee River to the Alabama border.

“A slow northwestward or north-northwestward motion is expected during the next day or two, followed by a turn toward the west,” forecasters said. “On the forecast track, the depression will move near or along the northern Gulf coast during the next several days.”

Tropical-storm conditions are possible within the watch area by late Monday and a storm surge of 1-3 feet could hit the Florida coast from Indian Pass to Chassahowitzka.

In addition, rainfall of 2-4 inches with some areas seeing up to 8 inches through Thursday is forecast along the eastern and central Gulf Coast from western Florida to southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, with a threat of flash flooding.

The system is expected to strengthen gradually and become a tropical storm either late Sunday or on Monday. The forecast intensity shows it strengthening to as much as 60 mph sustained winds by Wednesday morning.

“There seems to be a better opportunity for the system to strengthen once it turns westward, however, the amount of strengthening will be dependent on how far offshore the circulation is,” forecasters said. “The NHC track forecast lies toward the upper end of the model guidance, however, there is a low amount of confidence given the uncertainty of how much land interaction will take place.”

The National Weather Service in Tampa said rounds of gusty winds and heavy rainfall are possible across west Central Florida and Southwest Florida on Sunday and into early next week.

“A few strong storms will be possible with strong gusty winds and heavy rain. Localized flooding of streets and low lying areas may occur,” forecasters said. “There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall along the immediate west coast of Florida through Sunday night.”

The 2026 hurricane season so far has had just one named system, the short-lived Tropical Storm Arthur that developed in the Gulf and brought floods to Texas and Louisiana in June.

Bertha is the next name on the hurricane season list, followed by Cristobal.

The season officially began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The height of hurricane season runs from mid-August into October.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects this season to be below normal, with the official forecast released in late May calling for 8-14 named storms, of which 3-6 would become hurricanes. Of those, 1-3 would become major hurricanes reaching Category 3 status or above.

An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

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