Tropical depression forms off Florida. Storms possible in Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Times

A tropical depression in the Gulf is forecast to grow into Tropical Storm Bertha on Monday as it slowly moves toward the coast and could threaten the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Hurricane Center.Though the system was expected to curl west and away from the Tampa Bay area, it flung rain and thunderstorms into the region over the weekend and forecasters said that is likely to continue into the work week.As of the hurricane center’s 8 a.m. advisory, the center of Tropical Depression Two was located about 110 miles south of Panama City and 210 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama moving northwest at 3 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.A tropical storm watch has been issued from the Ochlockonee River in Florida to the Alabama-Mississippi border.“A slow northwestward motion is expected during the next day or so, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest or west,” forecasters said. “On the forecast track, the depression will move near or along the northern Gulf coast during the next several days.”The system is expected to gradually strengthen Monday and became the season’s second named storm — Tropical Storm Bertha.Tropical-storm conditions are possible within the watch area by late Monday into Tuesday morning and a storm surge of 1-3 feet could hit the Florida coast from Indian Pass to Chassahowitzka, the entire Alabama coast and Mobile Bay.In addition, rainfall of 2-4 inches through Thursday, with some areas seeing up to 6 inches, is forecast along the eastern and central Gulf Coast from western Florida to the middle Texas coast, with a threat of flash flooding.Swells along the coast could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.The forecast intensity has been dialed back since Sunday’s forecast, with the NWS now projecting it to strengthen to 50 mph sustained winds by Tuesday night or early Wednesday.“The depression’s broad structure and mid-level dry air are keeping the convection limited. Thus, its intensification continues to be gradual,” forecasters said. “After 36 hours, northeasterly shear is expected to increase markedly, and the guidance is coming into better agreement that this should halt additional intensification after that time.”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. Times staff writer Chris Tisch contributed to this report. • • • The 2026 hurricane season is here. Here’s what the forecasts say What is a ‘super El Niño’? And what does it mean for hurricanes in Florida? What to know about river flooding in Tampa Bay this hurricane season Hurricane forecasts are overwhelming. Here’s how to read them What should you pack in your storm kit? Here’s where to start Get Times storm alerts on all your devices How Tampa Bay seniors, others can get help evacuating How to handle fires, tree limbs and other hazards after a storm Here are the lessons you learned from Tampa Bay’s historic 2024 hurricane season