Tropical Depression Two Is in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Published: July 19, 2026 at 12:50 PM
By Jennifer Collins, Meteorologist at Local 10

What Is Happening?

The National Hurricane Center (a government team that watches big storms) has put out warnings for Tropical Depression Two. Think of a tropical depression like a baby storm — it is a swirling rain system with gentle-ish winds, but not yet a full hurricane.

Important Point: A tropical depression is the weakest kind of named tropical storm. It can still bring rain and wind, so people nearby should pay attention.

Where Is the Storm?

The system is in the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico (the big body of water south of the United States).

• It is moving toward the north-northwest at about 2 mph (that’s super slow — like a person walking).
• Over the next day or two, it should keep creeping slowly to the northwest or north-northwest.
• After that, it is expected to turn and go west.

According to the track forecast (a map guess of where it will go), the depression will likely move near or along the northern Gulf coast in the coming days.

How Strong Is It?

Here are the simple numbers:

• Top winds: About 30 mph, with stronger sudden gusts (quick bursts of wind).
• Getting stronger? Yes — it should slowly build up.
• What’s next? It may become a tropical storm (the next step up) tonight or on Monday.
• Central pressure: 1011 mb (mb = millibars, a way to measure how “heavy” the air is; lower usually means a stronger storm).

Who Should Be Careful?

A tropical storm warning (meaning storm conditions are expected soon) has been issued for part of Florida:

1. From the Ochlockonee River
2. To the border with Alabama

If you live there, listen to local news and get ready for wind and rain.

Summary

Tropical Depression Two is a weak storm in the northern Gulf of Mexico, moving very slowly and expected to grow into a tropical storm soon. It will hover near the northern Gulf coast, and a tropical storm warning is active for Florida from the Ochlockonee River to the Alabama line.

FAQ

Q: What is a tropical depression?
A: It is a spinning weather system over warm water with winds under 39 mph. It is the first stage of a tropical cyclone (the family that includes hurricanes).

Q: Will it hit Florida directly?
A: A warning is up for the Florida coast from the Ochlockonee River to Alabama. The storm should stay near or along the northern Gulf coast, so that area may see tropical-storm conditions.

Q: When might it get stronger?
A: The experts think it could become a tropical storm tonight or on Monday.

Q: What does “2 mph” movement mean?
A: The storm is barely moving — about as fast as a slow walk — so changes happen slowly but the area stays wet and windy longer.

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