Tropical Depression Two forms in Gulf, bringing heavy rain risk to Florida and Gulf Coast
Invest 91L developed into Tropical Depression Two on July 19, with a high likelihood of strengthening into a tropical storm and prompting a Tropical Storm Watch for the Florida Panhandle.
A weather system designated Invest 91L organized into Tropical Depression Two on July 19, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The system, centered near 27.8°N, 85.0°W, is moving north-northwest at about 1-2 mph and is expected to gradually strengthen, potentially reaching tropical storm status by Sunday or Monday.
The NHC issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the Florida Panhandle from the Ochlockonee River to the Alabama border, warning that the depression could bring tropical-storm-force winds to the area. Residents of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas were advised to monitor the system as watches may be needed for portions of those states in the coming days.
Forecasters identified heavy rainfall and flash-flooding as the primary threats. > "Flash flooding from slow-moving or repeated downpours looks to be the biggest threat from the tropical rainstorm," said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Duffus. The system is expected to produce rain along the eastern and central Gulf Coast through Thursday, with the potential for runoff-driven flooding in the Florida Panhandle, where dry, hard soils may limit absorption.
The Air Force Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to investigate the depression later in the day. The NHC noted that strong wind shear and Saharan dust reduce the likelihood of the system becoming a hurricane, though development into a tropical storm remains probable.