Sally moves out but there’s a new tropical depression in the Gulf

Tropical outlook Thursday night

The National Hurricane Center said a new tropical depression has formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico. It's too soon to say if it could affect Alabama. Forecasters are also tracking Category 4 Hurricane Teddy, which could come close to Bermuda, what was Tropical Storm Vicky and two other tropical waves.

Tropical Depression Sally finally moved out of Alabama on Thursday, leaving widespread damage and flooding in its wake.

The National Hurricane Center issued its advisory on Sally earlier today, and the storm has weakened to a remnant area of low pressure over South Carolina as of Thursday evening.

But now there’s another storm in the Gulf to keep an eye on.

The hurricane center on Thursday night began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression 22, which was in the southwestern Gulf.

As of 6 p.m. CDT Thursday, Tropical Depression 22 was located about 330 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande River and was moving northeast at 5 mph.

The depression had winds of 35 mph and was expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Wilfred on Friday.

Wilfred is the last name on the 2020 storm list. Forecasters will have to use the Greek alphabet to name any other storms this season.

The big question is where could the new depression go?

The hurricane center said it is expected to “generally meander over the western Gulf of Mexico into the weekend.”

Tropical Depression 22 track

Newly formed Tropical Depression 22 is expected to become Tropical Storm Wilfred on Friday.

The official forecast track shows the storm heading north and then eventually to the west. If that track holds it would spare the northern Gulf Coast from another hit from a tropical system.

WHAT ABOUT SALLY?

The worst of the rain is out of Alabama, but the National Weather Service was watching area rivers, many of which could flood in south and south-central parts of the state.

Several in southwest Alabama are forecast to go into major flood stage, with others in hitting moderate stage.

The National Weather Service in Mobile said that in Alabama Big Escambia Creek at Flomation, the Styx River near Elsanor, the Fish River near Silverhill and Murder Creek in Brewton will all be at major or moderate flood stage.

Southwest Alabama river flooding

Several rivers in southwest Alabama will be in major or moderate flood stage, and flooding could last through the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee is also issuing flood warnings for the Choctawhatchee River in Alabama and the Pea River, which are in major or moderate flood stages as of Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said points along the Tallapoosa River and Catoma Creek are also expected to rise above flood stage today and flooding there could also last into the weekend.

ELSEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC

In addition to TD 22, the hurricane center is also tracking Category 4 Hurricane Teddy, which could threaten Bermuda just days after Hurricane Paulette made a direct hit on the island, as well as the remnants of Tropical Storm Vicky and two other tropical waves.

None of those are a threat to Alabama, although those in New England and Canada will be closely watching Teddy’s long-range path.

The Atlantic hurricane season can’t end soon enough, but the last day doesn’t arrive until Nov. 30.

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