Tropical Storm Oscar moved towards the Bahamas after striking Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, causing at least six fatalities due to severe rainfall and flooding. With winds recorded at 40 mph and a historic classification as the smallest hurricane, Oscar’s unexpected development has drawn attention to forecasting challenges. The storm is anticipated to bring up to 5 inches of rain to parts of the Bahamas while Cuba continues to recover from a substantial power outage.
Tropical Storm Oscar is currently advancing toward the Bahamas after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm has resulted in the unfortunate deaths of at least six individuals as it unleashed significant rainfall on Cuba, an island that is concurrently grappling with a substantial power outage. As of Tuesday morning, Oscar was positioned approximately 45 miles (75 kilometers) south-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, with sustained winds at 40 mph (65 kph) and a movement trajectory of north-northeast at a rate of 12 mph (19 kph), as reported by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The meteorological authority indicated that, “Oscar is at best barely a tropical storm at this time.” The storm is anticipated to generate rain amounts reaching up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) across the southeastern Bahamas, with local areas potentially experiencing up to 8 inches (20 centimeters). Consequently, a tropical storm warning is currently active for the central and southeastern Bahamas. Oscar has made history by being recorded as the smallest hurricane, with a wind field measuring a mere 6 miles (10 kilometers) across. The storm caught forecasters off guard as it made landfall on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas on Saturday and subsequently impacted eastern Cuba late Sunday. Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist, remarked, “It is not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting,” noting that no predictive models had forecast Oscar would intensify to hurricane status. In terms of rainfall, Oscar has already deposited over 15 inches (38 centimeters) in certain regions of eastern Cuba, prompting warnings from forecasters regarding the possibility of severe flooding and landslides. The reported fatalities occurred in Guantánamo province, highlighting the storm’s tragic impact. This weather event has coincided with Cuba’s ongoing struggle to recover from a recent extensive blackout, which has fueled protests and led to stern government warnings against dissent. As the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, Oscar’s development aligns with predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which anticipated an above-average season due to record-warm sea surface temperatures. Forecasts suggested that between 17 to 25 named storms could occur before the season’s conclusion, with expectations of four to seven major hurricanes classified as Category 3 or higher. Simultaneously, in the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kristy was observed roughly 375 miles (605 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds reaching 50 mph (85 kph); Kristy is anticipated to escalate to hurricane status by Tuesday evening.
Tropical Storm Oscar’s recent trajectory and development provide crucial insights into the dynamics of the Atlantic hurricane season. Its classification as the smallest hurricane documented draws attention to the complications in hurricane forecasting, especially when storm intensification occurs unexpectedly. The impact on Cuba, where ongoing electrical issues persist, exemplifies the susceptibility of island nations to multi-faceted crises resulting from severe weather events. Observations of rainfall levels and related hazards such as flooding and landslides are vital for understanding both the immediate and long-term consequences of tropical storms in the region.
In conclusion, Tropical Storm Oscar’s progression toward the Bahamas after impacting Cuba illustrates the volatility of the Atlantic hurricane season and the challenges inherent in forecasting storm behavior. The fatalities in Cuba and continued power issues underscore the significant human and infrastructural toll of such weather events. As forecasters and communities prepare for potential further developments, the importance of accurate predictive models and comprehensive emergency responses becomes increasingly apparent.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
