Tropical Storm Oscar is heading toward the Bahamas after causing six fatalities in Cuba as it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. Oscar exhibited maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and has been historically noted as the smallest recorded hurricane. The storm resulted in significant rainfall, triggering warnings for flooding and landslides. The current Atlantic hurricane season has seen increased activity, with forecasts suggesting more storms could develop soon.
Tropical Storm Oscar advanced towards the Bahamas on Tuesday, following its impactful landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in the tragic loss of at least six lives. The storm unleashed torrential rains on an island already grappling with significant power outages. On Tuesday morning, Oscar was situated approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) east-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, possessing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and progressing northeast at a pace of 12 mph (19 kph). Forecasters anticipated that the storm would deposit up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain across the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, a situation prompting a tropical storm warning particular to that region. Notably, Oscar has established itself as the smallest recorded hurricane, characterized by a wind field measuring about 6 miles (10 kilometers). The storm surprised meteorologists by rapidly intensifying into a hurricane shortly after making landfall on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas on Saturday before making a second landfall in eastern Cuba that subsequently set it back towards the Bahamas. Michael Lowry, a recognized hurricane specialist, commented on this unusual incident stating, “It is not often we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasting.” He also highlighted that no predictive models indicated that Oscar would escalate into a hurricane. Following its trajectory, the storm resulted in over 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain in various regions of eastern Cuba on Monday, raising alarms for potential flooding and landslides. The deaths occurred in the province of Guantánamo. At the same time, Cuba was striving to regain stability after enduring a massive blackout that incited minor protests and prompted governmental warnings against any acts of dissent. Oscar has been designated as the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of the current Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. Meteorologists are now monitoring potential developments of another storm in the central Caribbean within the coming week, as Lowry noted, “One last gasp may be in store for the Atlantic as we turn the calendar to November.” The NOAA has also projected a busier-than-usual Atlantic hurricane season this year due to record-high ocean temperatures, forecasting between 17 and 25 named storms, including four to seven major hurricanes classified as Category 3 or higher. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Kristy was recorded in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 470 miles (755 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, with the expectation of escalating into a hurricane by nightfall.
Tropical Storm Oscar reflects the significant climatic disturbances that affect the Caribbean region during the Atlantic hurricane season. The frequency of hurricanes is influenced by various meteorological factors, including ocean temperatures, atmospheric conditions, and climatic patterns. The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season has already exhibited a notable level of activity, reinforcing predictions from the NOAA about the expected intensity and number of storms due to warmer waters. This year’s forecast pointed towards numerous storms, considering the historical dataset that shows a correlation between elevated oceanic temperatures and hurricane formation.
In summary, Tropical Storm Oscar serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of hurricanes and their capacity to inflict devastation. With the storm resulting in casualties and considerable rainfall in Cuba, and now threatening the Bahamas, it underscores the need for preparedness in hurricane-prone areas. As we transition towards November, meteorological experts are cautioning that further storm developments may occur, reiterating the imperative for vigilance in monitoring weather patterns during this heightened storm season.
Original Source: triblive.com
