Tropical Storm Oscar has moved toward the Bahamas after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, leading to six fatalities. It is now situated 70 miles from the Bahamas, with expected heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Named as the smallest recorded hurricane, Oscar has prompted concerns over hurricane forecasting accuracy. Another storm may develop soon in the Caribbean, while the Atlantic hurricane season remains significantly active.
Tropical Storm Oscar is advancing toward the Bahamas following its impact on Cuba, where it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in the loss of six lives. Reports indicate that Oscar is presently situated approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) east-southeast of Long Island, Bahamas, with wind speeds reduced to 40 mph (65 kph) and a northeastern movement at a rate of 12 mph (19 kph), as confirmed by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm is anticipated to deposit up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain across southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, leading to a tropical storm warning being activated in the southeastern regions of the Bahamas. Remarkably, Oscar has been classified as the smallest hurricane on record, with a wind field measuring merely 6 miles (10 kilometers) in diameter. This unexpected development came after its two landfalls: first in Grand Inagua Island, Bahamas, on Saturday, followed by a second occurrence in eastern Cuba late Sunday, before the storm abruptly changed direction back toward the Bahamas. Michael Lowry, a hurricane forecasting expert, expressed concern regarding the lack of predictive accuracy for Oscar’s sudden intensity increase, stating, “It’s not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting.” The torrential rain from Oscar resulted in approximately 15 inches (38 centimeters) accumulating in parts of eastern Cuba, raising alarms about potential flooding and landslides, particularly in Guantánamo where the deaths were reported. This event coincided with Cuba grappling with the aftermath of a severe power outage that had sparked protests which the government warned against, threatening punitive measures for any dissent. Oscar marks the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which is slated to conclude at the end of November. Long-range forecasts suggest the potential development of another storm in the central Caribbean in the forthcoming week. Lowry provided insight on this likelihood, remarking, “One last gasp may be in store for the Atlantic as we turn the calendar to November.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has projected an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, attributing this to unprecedented ocean temperatures, estimating a total of 17 to 25 named storms, including four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or beyond. In the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kristy is also active, positioned 470 miles (755 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with wind speeds reaching 60 mph (95 kph) and moving westward at 16 mph (26 kph). Kristy is foreseen to strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday night.
The Atlantic hurricane season, extending from June 1 to November 30, is characterized by the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes. This year, the season has been marked by unusually high ocean temperatures, prompting predictions of an above-average season with a significant number of tropical systems expected. Tropical Storm Oscar emerged as a noteworthy event, with a rapid intensification that caught meteorologists by surprise. Its aftermath in Cuba highlights the challenges faced by the nation amid ongoing power issues.
In summary, Tropical Storm Oscar has progressed from its damaging landfall in Cuba to threatening the Bahamas, with serious implications for flooding and safety in affected areas. The storm’s unpredictable behavior underlines the challenges in hurricane forecasting, and as the hurricane season persists into November, further developments are anticipated in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. The situation remains fluid as meteorologists monitor the storm’s trajectory and the impact of ongoing climatic conditions.
Original Source: triblive.com
