Tropical Depression Two forms, could soon become Tropical Storm Bertha while days of rain target the Southeast
Tropical Depression Two recently formed in the eastern Gulf of America and is expected to bring days of heavy rainfall to parts of the Southeast.
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Officials said the system is likely to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha over the next day or so as it continues to organize and the pressure near the center of the storm gradually drops.
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, making it stronger than a tropical depression.
As of now, Tropical Depression Two, formerly known as Invest 91L, is producing thunderstorms over the center of the system, helping it overcome dry air that has been penetrating the circulation.
Moisture from the very warm Gulf waters is expected to help the system gradually strengthen into a tropical storm.
At the same time, slightly hostile upper-level winds from the northeast are forecast to affect the system, limiting its overall intensity.
Those winds are also expected to keep much of the heaviest rainfall offshore, although tropical downpours are still likely from Florida's west coast to Louisiana.
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The FOX Forecast Center said computer models indicate the center of the storm will move into the northeastern Gulf, well south of Tallahassee, beginning Monday.
From there, the storm's future will depend on how it organizes.
If it strengthens into a tropical storm, thunderstorms are expected to shift west toward the Louisiana and Texas coasts, which is considered the most likely scenario. If the system remains weaker, it will drift inland.
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Fortunately, due to the upper-level winds and dry air, there is currently no indication the system will become very strong from a wind standpoint.
However, because the storm is moving over warm Gulf waters, the FOX Forecast Center is continuing to closely monitor the system and potentially affected areas through at least the middle of next week.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.