Tropical Storm Watch Issued For Florida Panhandle As Fausto Strengthens Over Gulf Of Mexico | Today’s news
Tropical Storm Fausto developed over the Pacific Ocean off the southwest coast of Mexico on July 19, while a tropical depression advected by warm Gulf of Mexico waters south of the Florida Panhandle was expected to intensify into a named storm.
Tropical Storm Fausto to strengthen
The AP, citing the National Hurricane Center, said Fausto formed from a tropical depression about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and was expected to gradually or rapidly strengthen to become a hurricane Monday night.
The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) as it moved west-northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h). Authorities have not issued any coastal watches or warnings.
Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Elida continued to weaken on July 19 and is forecast to weaken to a remaining low over the next few days. The storm was located about 1,015 miles (1,635 km) west of the southern Baja California peninsula and had winds of up to 60 mph (95 km/h).
Forecasters at the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said they are closely monitoring a tropical depression that has developed over warm waters south-southeast of the Florida Panhandle. They added that the depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm early this week.
In response, a tropical storm watch was issued for portions of the Florida Panhandle extending to the Alabama border. The slow-moving system is expected to track near or along the northern Gulf Coast in the coming days.
The hurricane center noted that the system could also bring heavy rainfall to coastal areas of northern Florida, Alabama and Louisiana as it eventually tracks west toward Texas.
By the afternoon of July 19, the depression was virtually stationary and located about 190 miles (310 kilometers) south-southeast of Panama City, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h).
Tropical Storm Observations in Florida
On Sunday (July 19), Bloomberg reported that a tropical storm watch had been issued across the Florida Panhandle as another Atlantic event formed offshore. A tropical depression formed 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Panama City, Florida, with winds of up to 30 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory, adding that the system was likely to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha by Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph by Wednesday.
In addition, a watch has been in place from the Ochlockonee River to the Alabama border, indicating that tropical storm conditions may develop over the next two days, with additional watches issued in the following days.
The Atlantic season typically sees its second tropical storm by July 17, according to the National Hurricane Center. While the average hurricane season produces about 14 named storms, including hurricanes, many meteorologists expect fewer systems in 2026 due to El Niño conditions in the Pacific. El Niño increases wind shear over the western Atlantic, disrupting the development of tropical systems and reducing overall storm activity.
In its latest seasonal outlook, Colorado State University predicts nine named storms this year. Tropical cyclones are given official names once their sustained winds reach 39 mph, the threshold for tropical storm status.
