Bertha Lounge - FLHurricane.com

An area of mid-level low pressure appears to be developing over Florida as we head into Friday. Models increasingly also expect a surface low to form, at least once enough of the system has meandered into the eastern Gulf. More and more of the most recent runs, including several of the high-quality Google DeepMind and other machine-learners, spin up a tropical or subtropical cyclone early-mid next week, maybe even sooner.

As can be seen in the image above, this low is forming from the favorable interaction of sandwiching between two areas of high pressure, with the resulting cyclonic flow between them tightening up.

The background state for development includes the MJO analyzed in a favorable Phase 8, and very warm gulf waters. While a pronounced El Niño is now underway in the Pacific, home-grown systems of this sort are always a valid concern, even during strong El Niño years.

Given the somewhat favorable environment for development, that there continues to be an upswing in the number of models and ensembles developing a nameable cyclone, and the fact that anything that forms in this region would be instantly landlocked right on the doorstep of the United States, we are starting a Lounge on this potential Invest. Should this Area of Interest get Invest-tagged, the title will be updated accordingly. This could happen as soon as later today or over the coming weekend.

Even if a named storm does not form, this system is likely to be yet another rain and flood maker. All gulf states from Florida to Texas may want to monitor this feature closely.

7/18/26 9AM The area low pressure we have been tracking has been Invest-tagged this morning, 91L, and the title updated accordingly
2026-07-18 12:00 26.9N 84.0W 20 KTS

7/19/26 11AM Invest 91L has become our second Tropical Cyclone of 2026 and NHC Advisories have begun on TD TWO. The title has been updated accordingly.

7/20/26 6:50pm TD TWO has become our second Tropical Storm of 2026, Bertha, and the title has been updated accordingly.
-Ciel

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