Tropical Depression Two
Tropical Depression Two is currently positioned 170 miles SSE of Panama City, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. The depression is moving NNW at 1 mph and is anticipated to slowly transition northwestward or north-northwestward over the next couple of days, before turning westward. It may become a tropical storm by tonight or Monday.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from the Ochlockonee River to the FL/AL border, indicating potential tropical storm conditions within the next 36 to 48 hours. Additional watches might be issued soon.
The depression may cause storm surges of 1 to 3 feet from Indian Pass to Chassahowitzka, FL, with potential flooding due to storm surge and tide combinations. Rainfall between 2 to 4 inches, possibly reaching up to 8 inches locally, is expected along the eastern and central Gulf Coast, potentially leading to flash flooding, particularly in urban areas.
The National Hurricane Center has announced the formation of Tropical Depression Two in the Gulf of Mexico, prompting a storm watch across Florida's Panhandle. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the system as it threatens to develop further into a tropical cyclone. The depression is expected to bring heavy rainfall, raising concerns about potential flooding and strong winds in the Gulf Coast region. Local authorities are advising residents to stay informed and prepare for possible severe weather conditions.
This weather system poses a high risk of intensifying into a cyclone, impacting states like Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Meteorologists are projecting significant impacts from this tropical depression, including heavy rain and gusty winds, especially along coastal areas. As the system progresses, local emergency management agencies urge communities to have emergency plans ready and supplies on hand. Citizens are encouraged to follow official updates as forecasts evolve in the coming days.
Invest 91L
The National Hurricane Center has issued updates on a developing system in the Gulf of Mexico, labeled Invest 91L, which is showing potential for significant development in the coming days. Meteorologists predict this disturbance to bring heavy rains and gusty winds to parts of the southeastern United States, notably impacting Florida and surrounding areas. Local residents are advised to stay informed as weather patterns indicate a likelihood of the system strengthening into a tropical depression or potentially reaching tropical storm status. Preparations are already underway in affected regions to mitigate any possible impacts.
In addition to Invest 91L, Tropical Depression Bertha has formed nearby, prompting additional weather precautions across coastal regions. The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring both systems, providing continuous updates to ensure public safety. Although Bertha is expected to track away from the mainland, its presence contributes to the overall instability in weather conditions across the region. Residents in affected areas should expect increased rainfall and are urged to keep abreast of local emergency management announcements.
July 19, 2026, at 2:15 PM EDT
Tropical Depression Two has formed in the northeastern Gulf of America, centered near 28.0N 85.3W and moving NNW at 2 kt. The depression is expected to move near or along the northern Gulf coast in the upcoming days. For those in the area, please consult the latest forecasts issued by the National Hurricane Center for updates.
Currently, there are two tropical waves being monitored: one in the eastern Atlantic along 35W and another along 62W. The former is drier with no significant convection, while the latter is showing scattered moderate convection activity.
A subtropical ridge extends from the central Atlantic towards Florida, creating a pressure gradient that results in strong to near-gale force easterly trade winds across parts of the central Caribbean. This is resulting in rough seas, particularly off the coast of Colombia, and moderate to fresh winds in other parts of the Caribbean and Windward Passage. Dry conditions are observed in many areas, with the exception of scattered moderate convection moving into the southern Windward Islands.
Over the Atlantic Ocean, a subtropical ridge maintains fresh to strong easterly trades near northern Hispaniola. Moderate to fresh easterly winds continue south of 24N with seas up to 8 ft. In the eastern Atlantic, strong N to NE winds and seas of 4-8 ft persist north of the monsoon trough. Changes are anticipated in the coming days as the subtropical ridge weakens, and a new trough forms, potentially affecting wind and sea conditions, especially N of 22N E of 70W.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 8 to 14
Hurricanes: 3 to 6
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 1 to 3
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
Primary Influencing Factor: Developing El Niño conditions expected to suppress Atlantic storm activity
This forecast indicates:
Despite the lower forecast, NOAA emphasizes that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to create a major disaster, and residents in hurricane-prone areas should still prepare as usual for the season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional detailsDespite fewer total storms than forecasted, the 2025 season produced several extremely intense hurricanes, including three Category 5 systems, making it one of the more powerful Atlantic seasons in recent history.
2020 - 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina (2005) - $125 billion
Harvey (2017) - $125 billion
Hurricane Patricia (2015) - 215 mph (345 km/h)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - 190 mph (305 km/h)
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating system that classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can cause. It helps communicate the intensity of hurricanes and the likely impacts on structures and environments. The scale does not account for factors like storm surge or rainfall, focusing only on wind speeds.
Watching the Tropics was originally built as a personal storm tracker with only the most important charts for the Atlantic hurricane basin. Numerous sites are available for tracking hurricanes, but Watching the Tropics minimizes extra "noise" and shows only what you need.
Designed in Florida by
"Watching the tropics" refers to monitoring tropical weather systems, such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes, in regions close to the equator. Meteorologists and weather enthusiasts often use this phrase during hurricane season to indicate that they're keeping an eye on developing weather systems that could potentially strengthen and impact areas like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
Websites, news outlets, or weather services also use "Tropics Watch" to keep the public informed about the latest developments in the tropics, especially during peak hurricane season.
An "invest" refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are investigating for potential tropical development. The term "invest" is short for "investigation area."
When an area is designated as an invest, it is given a number (between 90 and 99) followed by the letter "L" for systems in the North Atlantic or "E" for systems in the Eastern Pacific. For example, "Invest 91L" would refer to the 91st area of interest in the Atlantic basin for that season.
The designation of an invest allows meteorologists to focus their resources on a specific area, utilize specialized forecasting models, and issue updates as needed.
A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots or 63 km/h).
Key characteristics:
It's the first stage of development in the tropical cyclone classification used by the National Hurricane Center, followed by tropical storm and then hurricane.
