HURRICANES
Tropical depression possible in Gulf, heavy rains may impact Florida
John GallasCheryl McCloudUSA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Updated July 19, 2026, 8:33 a.m. ET
- A weather system in the Gulf of America, Invest 91L, has a high chance of becoming a tropical depression.
- Forecasters state the biggest threat from the system is heavy rain and potential flash flooding for the northern Gulf coast.
- Residents along the Gulf coast from Florida to Louisiana are advised to monitor the system’s progress.
Invest 91L off the Florida coast in the Gulf of America became better defined overnight and storms within it were gradually increasing
The system now has a high chance of becoming a named storm and atropical depression is likely to form July 19
“Interests along the northern Gulf coast from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana should monitor the progress of this system, as tropical storm watches or warnings could be required for portions of the area later today (Sunday, Jul 19). In addition, this system is expected to bring heavy rains to portions of the northern Gulf coast during the next several days,” the NHC’s Tropical Weather Outlook states
In other words, be prepared for heavy rains and possible flooding
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may send a hurricane hunter aircraft into the storm system later today
➤ Weather alertsr events by location
The second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will be Bertha
Here’s what forecasters are seeing as of 7 a.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026:
Shop Amazon for hurricane prep
Is there a hurricane coming toward Florida?
It’s unlikely this system will be come a hurricane because of Saharan dust and strong wind shear, but it could become a tropical storm, forecasters said the morning of July 19
“Flash flooding from slow-moving or repeated downpours looks to be the biggest threat from the tropical rainstorm, even if it does not fully develop into a tropical depression or storm,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said
➤Tropics on watch for Bertha. When past storms by that name appeared
Spaghetti models for Invest 91L
Invest 91L has a high chance of development over the next two days, as it moves slowly to the north and northwest
The term “invest” is used every hurricane season and is short for investigation. It is accompanied by a number from 90 to 99, accompanied by “L.” It is used to identify areas that may possibly develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next seven days
Active storms in the Atlantic
What impacts could Florida feel this weekend?
Rainfall looks to be the biggest threat regardless of development or official designation, DaSilva said
“While rainfall will be welcome across portions of the Florida Panhandle due to an ongoing drought, the flooding risk can be increased due to dry soil. This dry, hard soil can allow the water to run off instead of being absorbed right away,” DaSilva
National Hurricane Center watching Gulf disturbance Invest 91L
The National Hurricane Center on its tropical outlook map as of 8 a.m. July 19, was watching the Gulf system and two tropical waves
Northeastern Gulf of America: An area of low pressure located over the northeastern Gulf of America continues to become better defined and the associated shower and thunderstorm activity is gradually increasing, forecasters said. Continued gradual development is expected, and a tropical depression is likely to form later Sunday or on Monday as the system moves slowly northward or northwestward
Tropical storm watches or warnings could be required for portions of the area later today. In addition, this system is expected to bring heavy rains to portions of the northern Gulf coast during the next several days
- Formation chance through 48 hours … high … 80 percent.
- Formation chance through 7 days … high … 80 percent.
There were two tropical waves out there:
Eastern Atlantic: A well-defined tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic is along 34W, south of 19N. The wave is moving westward at 17 to 22 mph. No significant convection is observed near this wave due to dry Saharan air
Also in the Atlantic: An Atlantic tropical wave is along 60W, south of 18N, moving westward at 17 to 22 mph
Tropical Storm Elida expected to weaken
In the Pacific off the coast of California, Tropical Storm Elida is heading toward cooler water and is expected to weaken July 19, the NHC said. It is no threat to land and could become post-tropical by Monday
When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What’s changing this season?
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories
Countdown clock to end of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
What are the X’s on the hurricane map?
There are some changes in the National Hurricane Center symbols in 2026
In previous years, the National Hurricane Center’s tropical weather outlook map showed all systems with a lowchance (less than 30%) of development as a yellow X, including systems that had a near 0% chance in both the two-day and seven-day forecast periods
Beginning in 2026, systems in which development is not expected (near 0% in both two- and seven-day forecast periods) will be depicted as a gray X
- Tropical systems in which development is near 0% in both the two- and seven-day forecast periods will be shown as a gray X.
- If a system has a near 0% chance of development over the next two days but a higher chance over the next seven days, it will be shown with a yellow X.
- A red X indicates a high chance of development
What is a tropical wave?
“Tropical waves are clusters of showers and thunderstorms that act as the seedlings for many tropical storms throughout the Atlantic season,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert
“There are about 60 tropical waves that move across the Atlantic each year, and roughly 10 percent to 15 percent of them develop into a tropical system. That’s about one in seven
“Tropical waves are important because they contribute to about 80 percent of all major hurricanes.”
How many tropical storms, hurricanes are in a typical season?
The 30-year average, from 1991 to 2020, is for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes
‘It only takes one.’ Always be prepared for hurricanes
“As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall tomake it an active season,” CSU said. “Thorough preparations should be made every season, regardless of predicted activity.”
“The northern and eastern Gulf, the Carolina coast and the western Caribbean remain areas where rapid tropical development can occur,” “Even in a below-average year for tropical storms and hurricanes, it only takes one storm to cause significant loss of life and catastrophic damage.”
“We want people to pay attention to the forecast, because those warm waters can allow for rapid intensification, and the forecast can evolve rapidly,” DaSilva said
➤ Weather alertsas storms approach
“We could see development very quickly close to home, so it’s something people need to watch closely.”
Florida weather radar for July 19, 2026
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Here are the names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and how to pronounce them:
- Arthur: Tropical Storm Arthur formed June 17, 2026.
- Bertha, BUR-thuh
- Cristobal, krees-TOH-bahl
- Dolly, DAH-lee
- Edouard, eh-DWARD
- Fay, fay
- Gonzalo, gohn-SAH-loh
- Hanna, HAN-uh
- Isaias, ees-ah-EE-ahs
- Josephine, JOH-seh-feen
- Kyle, KY-ull
- Leah, LEE-ah
- Marco, MAR-koe
- Nana, NA-na
- Omar, OH-mar
- Paulette, pawl-LET
- Rene, re-NAY
- Sally, SAL-ee
- Teddy, TEHD-ee
- Vicky, VIH-kee
- Wilfred, WILL-fred
Is there a tax holiday in Florida for hurricane supplies?
No. On Aug. 1, 2025, the sales tax on specific hurricane supplies was permanently removed
Among the items now permanently exempt from sales taxes are:
- batteries
- portable generators
- capable of producing 10,000 running watts or less
- waterproof tarps
- must be 1,000 square feet or less
- portable gas cans
- capacity of 5 gallons or less
- ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- smoke detectors or smoke alarms
- carbon monoxide detectors
- fire extinguishers that meet certain requirements
- life jackets
- sunscreen
- insect repellent
Bottled water, first aid kits, and many food items purchased at the grocery store were tax-freeprior to the passage of the permanent exemptions added in 2025
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What’s next?
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage to bring you the most current information you need to protect your home and family
C. A. Bridges and Cheryl McCloud are journalists for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://naplesnews.com/newsletters
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