HURRICANE CENTER: Tropical Storm Watches Issued, System Expected To Grow

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Tropical Depression 2 — the system in the Gulf Monday morning — is expected to soon become a Tropical Storm. Watches and warnings are in effect. This is the Monday morning update from the National Hurricane Center:

The National Hurricane Center issued Advisory Number 5 on Tropical Depression Two at 10:00 AM CDT Monday, July 20, 2026. New watches have been issued for portions of the Gulf Coast.

Summary of 10:00 AM CDT Information

• Location: 28.5N 85.6W
• About 120 mi (190 km) S of Panama City, Florida
• About 215 mi (345 km) SE of Mobile, Alabama
• Maximum sustained winds: 35 mph (55 km/h)
• Present movement: NW or 310 degrees at 3 mph (6 km/h)
• Minimum central pressure: 1007 mb (29.74 inches)

Watches and Warnings

Changes with this advisory:

A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the U.S. Gulf Coast from the Alabama/Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River, Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Jefferson/Plaquemines parish border.

Summary of watches and warnings in effect:

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the Alabama/Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Ochlockonee River, Florida, westward to the Jefferson/Plaquemines parish border in Louisiana.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Additional watches or warnings may be required later today or Tuesday. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

Discussion and Outlook

At 10:00 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Two was located near latitude 28.5 North, longitude 85.6 West. The depression is moving erratically toward the northwest near 3 mph (6 km/h). A slow northwestward motion is expected through tonight, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest or west. On the forecast track, the depression will move near or along the northern Gulf coast during the next several days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Satellite imagery and coastal Doppler radar data indicate that the depression is getting better organized, and it is expected to become a tropical storm later today. After that, additional gradual strengthening is expected through Tuesday.

The minimum central pressure estimated from a combination of Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft data and surface observations is 1007 mb (29.74 inches).

Hazards Affecting Land

Key messages for Tropical Depression Two can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2 and WMO header WTNT42 KNHC.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area in the Florida Panhandle by late tonight into Tuesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the remainder of the watch area by late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the immediate coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

• Mouth of the Mississippi River, LA to AL/FL border: 2-4 ft
• Indian Pass, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL: 1-3 ft
• Morgan City, LA to mouth of the Mississippi River, LA: 1-3 ft
• Lake Pontchartrain: 1-3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?peakSurge.

RAINFALL: The tropical depression is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals around 8 inches through Friday along the Gulf Coast and adjacent inland locations from western Florida to the Middle Texas Coast, including southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This rainfall may produce areas of flash flooding, especially in urban areas.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Two, see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?ero.

TORNADOES: An isolated tornado or two are possible over the Florida Big Bend region today.

SURF: Swells generated by the depression are affecting portions of the Gulf coast of Florida and are likely to spread westward during the week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?ripCurrents.

Next Advisory

The next intermediate advisory is scheduled for 1:00 PM CDT. The next complete advisory is scheduled for 4:00 PM CDT.

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