Tropical Depression 2 Expected to Intensify Into Storm; Alabama Coast Braces for Impact

Meteorologists expect Tropical Depression 2 to develop into a tropical storm by Monday as it tracks toward the Florida Panhandle and Gulf Coast region. The system, located approximately 120 miles south of Panama City as of Monday morning, was moving northwest at 3 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect along Alabama’s Gulf shoreline from the Florida border westward to the Mississippi border. South Florida is not expected to experience direct effects from the system this week, with conditions remaining largely clear for the region.

Drier air is anticipated to move into South Florida by midweek following the system’s passage. With reduced storm potential, temperatures will climb above seasonal averages, and heat index values are projected to approach Heat Advisory thresholds on successive afternoons.