Tropical Storm Oscar is moving toward the Bahamas after impacting Cuba as a hurricane, causing six deaths and heavy rains. The storm’s unexpected intensification surprised meteorologists, prompting warnings for potential flooding and landslides. It is part of an active Atlantic hurricane season projected to produce numerous storms.
On Tuesday, Tropical Storm Oscar continued its trajectory toward the Bahamas after having made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Cuba, resulting in at least six fatalities and causing extensive rainfall on the island grappling with a severe power outage. At the time of reporting, Oscar was situated approximately 45 miles (75 kilometers) south-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, exhibiting sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) while advancing north-northeast at 12 mph (19 kph), as indicated by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Currently, the storm is considered to be barely a tropical storm, with significant rainfall forecasts suggesting it may yield between 5 to 8 inches (13-20 centimeters) in various areas across the southeastern Bahamas, prompting a tropical storm warning for both central and southeastern regions. Notably, Tropical Storm Oscar has set a precedent as the smallest recorded hurricane, with a wind field measuring only about 6 miles (10 kilometers) across, thereby taking many meteorologists by surprise upon its landfall on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas on Saturday and later in eastern Cuba late Sunday. Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist and storm surge expert, remarked on the situation, noting the exceptional nature of this lack of predictive accuracy in hurricane forecasting: “It is not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting.” The storm has been particularly devastating for eastern Cuba, where it precipitated at least 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain, inciting concerns of severe flooding and landslides. The reported fatalities occurred in Guantánamo, raising alarms amidst Cuba’s struggle to cope with the aftermath of a massive blackout that previously ignited minor protests and elicited stern governmental warnings against public dissent. Oscar stands as the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had previously predicted an above-average hurricane season, attributing this to extraordinarily warm ocean temperatures and forecasting an anticipated 17 to 25 named storms, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes of Category 3 or above. In parallel, Tropical Storm Kristy is currently churning over open waters in the Pacific Ocean. At the time of the report, Kristy was located 375 miles (605 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph), traveling west-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph) with expectations of strengthening into a hurricane by the evening.
The article discusses the progression and impact of Tropical Storm Oscar, which recently impacted Cuba and is now moving towards the Bahamas. The storm was initially classified as a hurricane upon hitting Cuba, and it caused significant casualties and environmental damage. Moreover, it highlights the challenges in accurately forecasting storm developments and the broader implications of the current Atlantic hurricane season, which has been predicted to be particularly active due to high ocean temperatures.
In summary, Tropical Storm Oscar has transitioned from a hurricane in Cuba to a tropical storm while approaching the Bahamas, resulting in fatalities and severe rainfall. The storm exemplifies the unpredictability of hurricane forecasting and occurs amidst a broader context of an active hurricane season anticipated for this year. The situation remains critical as the Bahamas braces for further rainfall, while other storms like Kristy form simultaneously in the Pacific.
Original Source: apnews.com
