A satellite photo from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration captures Tropical Storm Oscar, taken at 6:50 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. NOAA
Tropical Storm Oscar weakened on Tuesday as it moved toward the Bahamas after making landfall in Cuba, where it caused significant destruction. The storm was classified as a Category 1 hurricane when it hit, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and heavy rainfall that exacerbated a massive power outage on the island.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm's remnants were about 75 miles east-southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas. The maximum sustained winds had decreased to 35 mph as the remnants continued to move northeast at a speed of 12 mph, according to reports from the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands were expected to receive up to 4 inches of rain as Oscar's remnants passed through.
The storm made headlines not only for its impact but also for its record as the smallest hurricane ever documented, with a wind field of just 6 miles across. Oscar surprised meteorologists when it made landfall on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas on Saturday and again on eastern Cuba late Sunday. It then made a sudden turn back toward the Bahamas.
Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry commented on the unusual forecasting challenges, noting that models did not predict Oscar’s strength as a hurricane. As it moved through Cuba, Oscar dropped as much as 15 inches of rain in some areas, leading to warnings of flooding and potential landslides, particularly in the Guantanamo province where the fatalities were reported.
This storm hit Cuba during a time of crisis as the country was recovering from a widespread power outage that had triggered protests and government warnings against dissent. The chaos added to the difficulties faced by residents already struggling with the effects of the storm.
Oscar was the 15th named storm and the 10th hurricane of this Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. With the storm season peaking, meteorologists are keeping an eye on possible developments in the Caribbean, with predictions suggesting that another storm could form in the coming week.
Lowry warned that the Atlantic could see one more significant storm as November approaches, highlighting the unpredictable nature of hurricane forecasting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted an above-average hurricane season this year due to unusually warm ocean temperatures. They anticipated 17 to 25 named storms for the season, including four to seven major hurricanes.
In other weather news, Tropical Storm Kristy gained strength, becoming a hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. Fortunately, it is expected to remain far from land as it continues to grow. As of now, Kristy was positioned 590 miles west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, moving west at 18 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Currently, there are no coastal watches or warnings in place for Kristy.
