Tropical Depression Develops in Gulf, Storm Risk for Tampa Bay

WHO:

USA Today - National Hurricane Center reported the formation of a tropical depression.

Tampa Bay Times - Communities along the Gulf Coast, including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, are advised to monitor the system.

WHAT:

USA Today - A tropical depression has formed along the Gulf Coast off Florida.

USA Today - A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Florida Panhandle through Monday night.

USA Today - If the depression becomes a tropical storm, it will be named Bertha, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

USA Today - Tropical Storm Arthur was the first named storm of the season in June.

USA Today - The depression has maximum sustained winds below 39 mph.

WHERE:

USA Today - The tropical depression is located along the Gulf Coast off Florida.

USA Today - The tropical storm warning affects the Florida Panhandle.

WHEN:

USA Today - The tropical storm warning is in effect through Monday night.

WHY:

USA Today - Saharan dust and strong wind shear are likely to prevent the depression from becoming a hurricane.

HOW:

USA Today - A tropical depression forms when low pressure, accompanied by thunderstorms, produces a circular wind flow.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 22:13 UTC)

A tropical depression has formed along the Gulf Coast off Florida, prompting a tropical storm warning for the Florida Panhandle that will remain in effect through Monday night. If this depression strengthens into a tropical storm, it will be named Bertha, following Tropical Storm Arthur, which was the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Communities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are advised to monitor the system, although Saharan dust and strong wind shear are expected to hinder its development into a hurricane.