Tropical Storm Oscar, after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, is progressing toward the Bahamas and is linked to at least six fatalities. Currently classified as barely a tropical storm, it is expected to bring significant rainfall across the Bahamas. This storm has made history as the smallest hurricane on record, with unusual forecasting failures preceding its intensification. Oscar is one of many storms predicted in a potentially active Atlantic hurricane season.
Tropical Storm Oscar is moving towards the Bahamas following its landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in at least six fatalities due to severe rainfall. On Tuesday morning, the storm was approximately 45 miles south-southeast of Long Island, Bahamas, with sustained winds of 40 mph and a north-northeast movement at speeds of 12 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Currently, Oscar is classified as barely a tropical storm. Authorities forecasted it may produce rainfall of up to 5 inches in the southeastern Bahamas, with localized areas receiving as much as 8 inches. A tropical storm warning has been declared for the central and southeastern regions of the Bahamas, as the storm nears. Oscar has recorded a historic milestone by being the smallest hurricane on record, with a wind field measuring about 6 miles across. Its unexpected intensification took forecasters by surprise, as no predictive models indicated such a development before its landfall first on Grand Inagua Island and subsequently in eastern Cuba. Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist, noted this anomaly, describing the event as a significant failure in hurricane forecasting. In Cuba, heavy rainfall brought by Oscar resulted in 15 inches of precipitation in certain eastern areas, raising concerns about flooding and potential landslides. Among the fatalities, six deaths were reported in Guantánamo. This storm’s impact coincides with Cuba’s ongoing recovery from a severe power outage that has incited small-scale protests and a governmental response warning against unrest. This event marks Oscar as the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted an above-average season this year, attributing this prediction to record-high ocean temperatures, estimating 17 to 25 named storms, with a possibility of 4 to 7 major hurricanes of Category 3 or more. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Kristy remains active in the Pacific Ocean, located west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, and is anticipated to strengthen into a hurricane soon.
The Atlantic hurricane season, from June 1 to November 30, has seen a marked increase in named storms this year, attributed to unusually warm ocean temperatures. Tropical Storm Oscar stands out due to its rapid intensification into a hurricane, surprising forecasters. This storm’s path through the Caribbean has also led to complications in Cuba, already grappling with significant power outages. Understanding the vulnerabilities of these regions to tropical storms and hurricanes is essential for disaster preparedness and response.
Tropical Storm Oscar has displayed unexpected intensity, transforming into a hurricane and wreaking havoc in Cuba, resulting in fatalities and significant rainfall. With ongoing concerns about flooding and the storm’s trajectory towards the Bahamas, the situation underscores the challenges posed by extreme weather events in the Caribbean. Furthermore, the broader implications of climate conditions warrant careful monitoring for future storms in an anticipated above-average hurricane season.
Original Source: www.washingtontimes.com
