Pensacola Beach is under a Tropical Storm Watch

TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO FORMS IN THE GULF

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Invest 91L to Tropical Depression Two. The system is expected to continue strengthening and is forecast to become Tropical Storm #Bertha by Monday morning, with peak winds currently forecast to reach around 60 mph.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Escambia County and the Florida Panhandle as tropical storm conditions could begin arriving late Monday into Tuesday.

The depression is expected to drift slowly north-northwest over the next day or so before turning west later this week. Exactly how close the center stays to land will play a major role in how strong the system ultimately becomes.

The first forecast cone has landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday as a Tropical Storm.

For Escambia County, the primary concerns remain:

Periods of heavy rain and localized flooding through the middle of the week.

Dangerous beach conditions, including a high risk of rip currents and rough surf.

A few tornadoes or waterspouts may be possible, depending on the eventual track of the system.