National Hurricane Center Forecasts Tropical Storm Bertha Could Form by Monday

Tropical Depression Two formed off Florida’s west coast Sunday and is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha, with a tropical storm watch now in effect from the Ochlockonee River to the Alabama border, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A new tropical system has formed off Florida’s west coast, and forecasters say it’s on track to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha as it makes its way toward the Gulf Coast, according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel citing the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Depression Two developed Sunday, and as of the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory, its center was sitting roughly 155 miles south of Panama City. The system was crawling north-northwest at just 2 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph at the time.

In response, a tropical storm watch has been put in place for Florida, stretching from the Ochlockonee River all the way to the Alabama border.

Heavy rainfall is another concern. The Orlando Sentinel reported that totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected along the eastern and central Gulf Coast, covering western Florida and stretching into southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Some isolated areas could see as much as 8 inches of rain through Thursday, raising the risk of flash flooding.

Per the report, forecasters noted that the storm has a better chance of intensifying once it turns westward, though the extent of that strengthening will depend heavily on how far offshore the storm’s circulation stays. They also acknowledged that their current track forecast leans toward the stronger end of the model guidance, while cautioning that confidence remains low given uncertainty over how much the system will interact with land.

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If this current system earns a name, it will become Bertha, next in line on this year’s hurricane naming list, followed by Cristobal. The 2026 hurricane season officially began on June 1 and continues through November 30, with the peak period typically falling between mid-August and October.