{"id":345041,"date":"2026-07-19T05:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T05:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/345041\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T05:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T05:48:38","slug":"gulf-low-could-become-a-tropical-depression-near-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/345041\/","title":{"rendered":"Gulf low could become a tropical depression near Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tropical development is possible in the Gulf or near the Southeast U.S. coast this weekend into early next week, though locally heavy rain may be a threat, regardless, from Florida to the Carolinas. <\/p>\n

(MORE: El Ni\u00f1o factoring into hurricane season outlook<\/a>)<\/p>\n

What may happen<\/p>\n

An area of low pressure is forming in the eastern Gulf near Florida and has been enhancing thunderstorm activity over the Florida peninsula. <\/p>\n

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Computer models now suggest that this swirling system will become better developed throughout the weekend. If it can sustain thunderstorms and stay offshore, a tropical depression or even Tropical Storm Bertha could form by early next week. <\/p>\n

The hurricane hunters could investigate the system on Sunday. <\/p>\n

Regardless of what the system is called, it could spread rain and enhance winds to the Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana coasts and add a chop to the Gulf waters. <\/p>\n

Water in the northeast Gulf and off the Southeast coast is warmer than average, with water temperatures as high as the upper 80s available to fuel any thunderstorms. <\/p>\n

There are a few scenarios with this low after this weekend:<\/p>\n

It may slide inland relatively quickly over some part of Florida or the Southeast. It could sit for a while over the northeast Gulf.It could drift westward in the northern Gulf. <\/p>\n

For now, there’s not too much to be concerned about if you’re near the Gulf or Southeast coast. <\/p>\n

However, we’re in hurricane season and things can change quickly. Check back with us at weather.com for updates to this forecast. <\/p>\n

It’s always a good time to make sure you’re prepared for hurricane season, well before any storms threaten. <\/p>\n

(MORE: How to stay safe in hurricane season<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\"DCT<\/p>\n

The possible area(s) of tropical development according to the latest National Hurricane Center outlook are shown by polygons, color-coded by the chance of development over the next seven days. An “X” indicates the location of a current disturbance.<\/p>\n

Soaking rain possible<\/p>\n

You don’t need a tropical depression or storm to wring out heavy rain in summer. <\/p>\n

Regardless of tropical development, there is a threat of locally heavy rain this weekend into early next week from parts of Florida and the northern Gulf Coast into the Carolinas. Up to 5 inches could fall from west-central Florida to the Big Bend. <\/p>\n

For now, these locally soaking downpours are most likely in northern and central Florida, above and beyond the typical daily afternoon scattered storms. <\/p>\n

While many of these areas are currently in drought<\/a> and can use rain, these heavier downpours could lead to local flash flooding, especially in urban areas. <\/p>\n

(MORE: How to stay safe in a flash flood<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\"DCT<\/p>\n

This is a broad outlook of where the heaviest rain may fall. Higher amounts may occur where bands of rain stall over a period of a few hours. <\/p>\n

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on\u00a0Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0X (formerly Twitter)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.\u200b<\/p>\n