Tropical Storm Oscar has weakened after striking Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in at least six fatalities and severe rainfall. The storm’s remnants are moving towards the Bahamas, while forecasts suggest continuing storm activity in the Atlantic as the season progresses.
Tropical Storm Oscar has weakened and disintegrated as it approached the Bahamas following its impact on Cuba, where it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm has claimed the lives of at least six individuals and has resulted in significant rainfall, exacerbating the situation for a nation already grappling with a massive power outage. As of Tuesday afternoon, Oscar’s remains were reported to be approximately 75 miles east-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, with maximum sustained winds diminishing to 35 mph while moving northeast at a speed of 12 mph, as per the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm has had a historic distinction as the smallest recorded hurricane, possessing a wind field of only six miles, which took many meteorologists by surprise. Oscar first made landfall on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas on Saturday and subsequently in eastern Cuba late on Sunday, before making an unexpected U-turn back towards the Bahamas. Meteorologist Michael Lowry commented on the forecasting discrepancies, stating, “It is not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting,” highlighting that models had not predicted Oscar’s strengthening into a hurricane status. In Cuba, Oscar deposited over 15 inches of rain in parts of eastern regions, intensifying risks of flooding and landslides. The six fatalities reported originated from Guantánamo. This storm occurred during a period when Cuba was already contending with widespread blackout issues, which contributed to small protests and a government declaration of potential repercussions against any civil unrest. Oscar is categorized as the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1st to November 30th. Additionally, long-range models are indicating the potential for another storm to form in the central Caribbean within the subsequent week, leading Lowry to remark, “One last gasp may be in store for the Atlantic as we turn the calendar to November.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecasts suggest an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year due to unprecedented ocean temperatures, predicting between 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven escalating to major hurricanes of Category 3 or greater. Simultaneously, Tropical Storm Kristy is forming over the Pacific Ocean, situated 470 miles west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, reporting maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and expected to attain hurricane status shortly.
Tropical Storm Oscar formed during the Atlantic hurricane season, which is renowned for its potential to yield numerous powerful storms. The hurricane season is influenced heavily by ocean temperatures, and this year, conditions have indicated an above-average likelihood for storm development. Oscar’s evolution from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane highlights the unpredictability of weather systems and the importance of accurate forecasting. The impact of Oscar in Cuba, in conjunction with the country’s existing challenges related to power outages, underscores the potential for severe humanitarian crises in hurricane-affected regions.
In summary, Tropical Storm Oscar has dissipated while causing significant injury and disruption in Cuba, including six fatalities and extensive rainfall leading to flooding. As the storm progresses northeast towards the Bahamas, it serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the Atlantic hurricane season and the necessity for strategic forecasting and disaster preparedness. The developments surrounding Tropical Storm Kristy in the Pacific signal ongoing meteorological activity as the season nears its conclusion.
Original Source: www.stripes.com
