Tropical Storm Oscar has moved towards the Bahamas after causing fatalities in Cuba. It made landfall as a hurricane and has since weakened to a tropical storm. Rainfall and severe weather warnings are in effect for the Bahamas, while the Atlantic hurricane season continues with predictions of above-average storm activity. Another storm, Kristy, is present in the Pacific.
Tropical Storm Oscar has advanced towards the Bahamas after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of at least six individuals and prompting significant rainfall on the island. As of Tuesday morning, Oscar was located approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) east-southeast of Long Island, Bahamas. The storm, having decreased in intensity, displayed maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving northeast at a rate of 12 mph (19 kph), according to reports from the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Forecasters anticipate that the storm will bring up to four inches (10 centimeters) of rain to the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a tropical storm warning currently in effect for the southeastern Bahamas region. Notably, Oscar has recorded its place in history as the smallest hurricane ever documented, characterized by a wind field measuring only about six miles (10 kilometers) across. Its unexpected strength led to surprise among meteorologists, as Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist, pointed out that predictive models did not indicate that Oscar would escalate to hurricane status. Heavy rainfall from Oscar resulted in over 15 inches (38 centimeters) of precipitation in parts of eastern Cuba on Monday, leading to warnings of significant flooding and potential landslides in the region. Tragically, the six fatalities occurred in Guantánamo. This storm has struck at a challenging time for Cuba, as the country was already dealing with a massive blackout that sparked public protests and a government declaration against any acts of dissent. Oscar marks the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. Furthermore, long-range weather models suggest the possibility of another storm developing in the central Caribbean within a week, indicating that the Atlantic may witness one final tempest as November approaches. According to predictions by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this year’s Atlantic hurricane season is likely to be above average, projecting between 17 to 25 named storms, including four to seven major hurricanes categorized as Category 3 or higher. In parallel developments, Tropical Storm Kristy is currently observed over the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, situated 470 miles (755 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with sustained winds up to 60 mph (95 kph) and traveling westward at 16 mph (26 kph). It is expected that Kristy could strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday evening.
The article discusses Tropical Storm Oscar, which has notably impacted Cuba and is currently approaching the Bahamas. The storm’s transition from hurricane status in Cuba to tropical storm conditions in the Bahamas highlights the unpredictability of hurricane behavior, which can lead to severe consequences including fatalities, flooding, and infrastructural challenges such as power outages. Additionally, the article addresses the broader context of the Atlantic hurricane season, characterized by a higher than average storm occurrence attributed to elevated ocean temperatures, and references to another ongoing weather system in the Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Storm Oscar’s journey from a hurricane affecting Cuba to a tropical storm nearing the Bahamas underscores the intensity and unpredictability of weather systems. With significant rainfall and fatalities reported, the storm has highlighted the vulnerability of affected regions, particularly as they simultaneously cope with power outages and civil unrest. This season’s heightened hurricane activity forecasts reflect broader climatic trends, raising awareness of the ongoing challenges posed by tropical storms and hurricanes.
Original Source: gazette.com
