Tropical Storm Oscar has formed into a hurricane, causing at least six fatalities in Cuba and progressing toward the Bahamas, where it is predicted to bring significant rainfall. Registered as the smallest hurricane ever, Oscar has surprised meteorologists with its strength and poses ongoing risks of flooding in affected areas. The Atlantic hurricane season is forecasted to be above average this year.
Tropical Storm Oscar is currently moving towards the Bahamas following its impact on Cuba, where it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm caused significant devastation, resulting in at least six fatalities, while simultaneously unleashing heavy rainfall on an already troubled island facing a widespread power outage. On Tuesday morning, Oscar was reported to be located approximately 45 miles south-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, possessing winds of 40 mph and traveling north-northeast at 12 mph, as detailed by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. It was noted that Oscar was only marginally a tropical storm at this point and was anticipated to deliver up to five inches of rain across the southeastern Bahamas, with localized areas potentially receiving up to eight inches. A tropical storm warning has been issued for the central and southeastern regions of the Bahamas. Remarkably, Oscar has been recorded as the smallest hurricane in history, featuring a wind field of merely six miles across, leading to an unpredicted strengthening into a hurricane upon its landfall on Grand Inagua Island on Saturday, followed by a secondary landfall in eastern Cuba the subsequent day. Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist, commented on the forecasting challenges by stating, “It’s not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting,” emphasizing that no meteorological models had indicated that Oscar would intensify into hurricane strength. As the storm moved over Cuba, it deposited over 15 inches of rain in regions of eastern Cuba, raising alarms regarding severe flooding and the risk of landslides. The fatalities occurred in Guantánamo as the country grapples with the aftermath of a massive blackout that has prompted public indignation and a stern warning from governmental authorities against any form of dissent. Oscar represents the 15th recognized storm and the 10th hurricane of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which commenced on June 1 and will conclude on November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) earlier forecasted an above-average hurricane season due to unprecedented ocean temperatures, predicting between 17 to 25 named storms and four to seven major hurricanes categorized as Category 3 or higher. In parallel, Tropical Storm Kristy is currently situated in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 375 miles west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with sustained winds of 50 mph and a trajectory moving west-northwest at 15 mph, with expectations of it becoming a hurricane shortly thereafter.
The article discusses Tropical Storm Oscar, which transitioned to a hurricane as it impacted Cuba, resulting in fatalities and significant rainfall amidst ongoing power issues in the region. It highlights the storm’s advance toward the Bahamas and explains the meteorological implications and historical significance of Oscar. The context of the Atlantic hurricane season and the prevailing ocean temperatures adds depth to the analysis presented in the article.
In conclusion, Tropical Storm Oscar has transitioned into a hurricane, causing pay-heavy damage in Cuba and moving towards the Bahamas with predictions of continued rainfall and potential flooding. The storm serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of weather systems and the pressing challenges associated with forecasting. With a historically small wind field, Oscar’s impact underscores the importance of vigilance during the hurricane season, which is anticipated to produce an above-average number of storms this year.
Original Source: apnews.com
