The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued its first official advisory Sunday afternoon on Tropical Depression Two, a newly organized tropical system now churning in the Gulf of Mexico.
As of 3:00 p.m. UTC on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the center of the depression was located near latitude 28.0 degrees north, longitude 85.3 degrees west. Forecasters say the position is accurate within about 30 nautical miles.
The storm is moving very slowly — nearly drifting — toward the north-northwest at just 2 knots. Its minimum central pressure is estimated at 1011 millibars, with maximum sustained winds of 25 knots and gusts reaching up to 35 knots.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect the system to gradually strengthen. By Monday morning, winds are projected to reach 30 knots with gusts to 40 knots. By Monday evening, the storm could approach tropical storm strength with winds near 35 knots. The system is forecast to continue slowly intensifying through Wednesday, potentially reaching 50 knots — just below hurricane strength — by the evening of July 22.
The extended outlook shows the storm tracking westward toward the Gulf Coast, with the center possibly moving inland near the Louisiana coast area by July 24, 2026, while still carrying winds of around 45 knots.
The National Hurricane Center notes that track forecasts carry an average error of about 125 nautical miles on day four and 175 nautical miles on day five, meaning the storm’s exact path remains uncertain. Intensity forecasts also carry an average error of about 15 knots per day.
Ships within 300 nautical miles of the storm’s center have been asked to submit reports every three hours to help forecasters track the system. The next full advisory was scheduled for 9:00 p.m. UTC Sunday, with an intermediate public advisory due at 6:00 p.m. UTC. The advisory was issued by forecaster Cangialosi.
