With the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season in full swing, Americans are keeping a close eye on updates. Recently, Hurricane Milton caused significant damage in Florida, and while people are still recovering, another storm is already brewing. So, what’s the latest update on Hurricane Oscar? Will it make its way to the United States of America? Read on for all the details.
The NHC has described Hurricane Oscar as ‘compact and powerful.’
“Weakening is expected after landfall, but Oscar could still be a tropical storm when it moves north of Cuba late Monday and moves across the central Bahamas on Tuesday,” the center reported on Sunday.
Hurricane Oscar has made landfall
In the early hours of Sunday, Hurricane Oscar made its highly anticipated landfall in the southeastern Bahamas as a Category 1 hurricane. Reportedly, it is the 15th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season. Knowing about its severity Bahamas’ government issued hurricane warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas.
Hurricane Oscar is moving towards Cuba
Cuba is already facing a huge power outage issue and now Hurricane Oscar is here to ensue more chaos. Oscar will bring forth heavy rainfall to the region. To deal with the catastrophe, the government has issued formal warnings in eastern Cuba, including Guantánamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas.
Hurricane Oscar will bring heavy rain to Cuba
A storm surge and heavy rainfall are expected in Cuba in the upcoming days. According to the available data, the rainfall will be between 5 and 10 inches. Some areas might also receive up to 15 inches!
Hurricane Oscar’s development
Forecasters have predicted that despite Oscar’s small size it will likely keep increasing in its strength. By the time it reaches Cuba, Oscar will have fully transformed into a hurricane.
Oscar’s wind speeds & more
Up till now the storm’s maximum sustained winds were recorded at 80 mph. Additionally, the center was located at approximately 260 kilometers east-southeast of the southeastern Bahamas and about 755 kilometers east of Camaguey in Cuba. Moreover, Hurricane-force winds extended up to 10 miles from the storm’s center.
Hurricane Oscar’s path
After making landfall in the Bahamas, Hurricane Oscar is now moving toward Cuba. Specifically traveling from the coast of Great Inagua in the Bahamas toward Eastern Cuba. Oscar’s strength is expected to remain fairly consistent along its path. It’s also forecasted to strike the Bahamas again, but this time at a different location.
If you are interested in going into more depth you can study Oscar’s spaghetti models from here. Remember that these models are not 100% accurate.
Will Hurricane Oscar affect America?
Currently, Oscar is moving slowly with a west-southwestward or westward motion. It will then move northwest and north on Monday and Tuesday. For now Americans don’t need to worry about Oscar. Moreover, as it is a Category 1 hurricane it won’t be extremely destructive either.
Hurricane Oscar can cause a humanitarian crisis in Cuba
There are three threats to Cuba; windspeed, rainfall, and storm surge. Cuba’s largest power plant has already failed which has negatively impacted the national grid. Inflation and food shortages paired with a strong storm will pose more threats to Cuba, which is already on the brink.
Oscar Hurricane conditions
Tropical storm conditions are expected to impact both the warning and watch areas in Cuba on Monday. While the severity of these conditions will lessen across the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, the greater risk is posed by the dangerous storm surge which will lead to intense coastal flooding on Great Inagua Island. The water levels will rise 2 to 4 feet above the normal levels.
Across the north shore of Cuba the water levels will rise 1 to 3 feet above normal levels. The large waves will further cause more destruction.
Hurricane Oscar’s minimum central pressure
Oscar’s estimated minimum central pressure is 986 millibars, which is already above the threshold of 979 MB, making it capable of causing mild damage. This suggests that the storm has the potential to intensify further. There will be a drop in pressure if the storm continues to strengthen.
Hurricane Oscar’s cone of uncertainty
The cone of uncertainty solely indicates the storm center’s probable path. It does not give any relevant information about the storm’s size. While monitoring the forecast, it is important to remember that Oscar’s impact could be felt in areas outside its projected cone.
Warnings because of Hurricane Oscar
Southeastern Bahamas, the North coast of the Cuban Provinces of Holguin and Guantanamo to Punta Maisi have all received official warnings. An additional Hurricane Watch is also going on in these regions; the North coast of the Cuban Province of Las Tunas.
In simple terms, a Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions can develop in the watch area. An official watch is mostly issued at least 2 days before the first expected occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds. On the other hand, a Tropical Storm Warning indicates that tropical storm conditions are likely to develop within 36 hours of the issuance.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued to Turks and Caicos Islands, the South coast of Cuban Province of Guantanamo, and the North coast of the Cuban Province of Las Tunas.
Before Oscar, another tropical storm Nadine was in full bloom. It started forming off Mexico’s southern Caribbean coast and was moving inland across Belize. Consequently, it brought brought forth heavy rainfall to the regions in its path. Thankfully, Nadine has now dissipated.
If you are in an area under high alert, it is important to follow the recommended guidelines for your own safety. That is all you need to know about Hurricane Oscar for now. Be sure to bookmark this page for more updates on the weather.
