Tropical Storm Oscar is moving toward the Bahamas after causing six fatalities in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm has resulted in heavy rainfall and significant flooding. It recorded as the smallest hurricane on record and is part of an active Atlantic hurricane season, with potential for further storms.
Tropical Storm Oscar is advancing toward the Bahamas after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in the loss of at least six lives and causing significant rainfall on an island already grappling with a serious power outage. As of Tuesday morning, the storm was situated approximately 70 miles east-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, with diminished winds recorded at 40 mph and moving northeast at a speed of 12 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm is anticipated to deliver up to four inches of rainfall across the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, prompting a tropical storm warning for the affected regions. Oscar has made history as the smallest registered hurricane, boasting a wind field of merely six miles in diameter. Its unexpected landfalls on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas and in eastern Cuba caught meteorologists off guard, especially given that predictions did not indicate a strengthening into hurricane status. Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist, noted, “It is not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting.” The storm unleashed significant rainfall in eastern Cuba, with some regions receiving at least 15 inches, leading to warnings of potential flooding and landslides. The six fatalities were confirmed in Guantánamo. This disaster occurred amidst ongoing recovery efforts from a widespread power outage in Cuba, which had previously led to minor protests and a warning from the government regarding potential civil unrest. Oscar is categorized as the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the current Atlantic hurricane season, which will conclude on November 30. Long-range forecasts suggest the possibility of another storm developing in the central Caribbean within the following week. Michael Lowry expressed, “One last gasp may be in store for the Atlantic as we turn the calendar to November.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had previously predicted an above-average hurricane season, citing record-high ocean temperatures, with expectations of 17 to 25 named storms and four to seven major hurricanes classified as Category 3 or higher. In parallel, Tropical Storm Kristy is currently present over open waters in the Pacific Ocean, reported to be 470 miles west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with sustained winds reaching 60 mph and a projected trajectory moving westward at 16 mph. Kristy is anticipated to develop into a hurricane by that evening.
This article addresses the impact of Tropical Storm Oscar, a weather anomaly that made landfall in Cuba as a hurricane and subsequently affected the Bahamas. The storm was notable not only for its destruction but also for its classification as the smallest hurricane recorded. This event takes place during a tumultuous Atlantic hurricane season, with meteorologists on high alert for additional storm developments due to unprecedented ocean temperatures. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by forecasters and the socio-political implications of natural disasters, especially in a country like Cuba that is still recovering from a power crisis.
In summary, Tropical Storm Oscar has had a devastating impact on Cuba, resulting in fatalities and severe weather conditions, while it continues to approach the Bahamas. The unprecedented nature of this storm has raised concerns about hurricane forecasting accuracy, highlighting the pressing issues associated with climate-induced weather patterns. As the hurricane season progresses, there is potential for further storm developments, necessitating vigilance from both forecasters and affected populations.
Original Source: gazette.com
