Depression expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha as rain targets the Southeast
Tropical Depression Two is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha later Monday in the eastern Gulf, which would become the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Tropical Depression Two formed in the eastern Gulf on Sunday and is expected to bring days of heavy rainfall to parts of the Southeast.
Tropical Depression Two was located about 100 miles south of the eastern Florida Panhandle Monday morning, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 35 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, making it stronger than a tropical depression.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect along the coast from the Ochlockonee River in the Florida Panhandle to the Mississippi-Alabama border, indicating that these areas could experience tropical storm conditions into Tuesday.
Additionally, the NHC warned that the storm surge along the immediate coast in this area could reach 1 to 3 feet.
According to the NHC, Tropical Depression Two is currently forecast to move slowly northwest along the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days.
However, there is still some uncertainty about Bertha’s forecast track after it forms later Monday.
“If the system stays weaker and moves inland sooner, the heaviest rain would spread farther inland across parts of the Southeast,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
“If it strengthens and remains over the Gulf longer, the heaviest rain would stay closer to the coast before gradually shifting west along the Gulf Coast later in the week.”
This second scenario would bring the heaviest rain toward the Middle Texas Coast toward the end of the week.
Meanwhile, forecast models are much more confident that this system will bring periods of heavy rain to the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend as it passes by.
Rain totals of 2–4 inches are expected through the middle of the week, with isolated higher amounts possible.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
