Latest update from the National Hurricane Center on Tropical Storm Oscar for Monday, Oct 21

Article first published: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, 5 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, 8 a.m. ET

As per the National Hurricane Center’s 8 am Monday update, Tropical Storm Oscar is 5 miles west of Guantanamo Cuba and 70 miles west of the Eastern Tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained wind of 45 mph. It’s moving at 2 mph to the west.

“... the center of Oscar is expected to continue moving across eastern Cuba through this afternoon, then emerge off the northern coast of Cuba late today or tonight and move near the southeastern and central Bahamas on Tuesday.” forecasters explained. “Some additional weakening could occur while Oscar moves across the mountainous terrain of eastern Cuba, but Oscar is forecast to be a tropical storm when it moves north of Cuba late today and then moves near the southeastern and central Bahamas on Tuesday.”

YESTERDAY (Sunday):

Yesterday, there were numerous changes. Oscar began as a hurricane and a Category 1 hurricane and ultimately became a tropical storm with sustained winds of 70 mph.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- North coast of the Cuban Provinces of Las Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo to Punta Maisi

- South coast of Cuban Province of Guantanamo

- Southeastern Bahamas

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- North coast of the Cuban Province of Camaguey

- Central Bahamas

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Interests in the remainder of the Bahamas should monitor the progress of Oscar.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area and possible in the watch area of Cuba today. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area in parts of the southeastern Bahamas and are possible in the watch area in parts of the central Bahamas tonight and Tuesday.

RAINFALL: Through Wednesday morning, rainfall amounts of 7 to 14 inches with isolated amounts of 20 inches are expected across eastern Cuba, especially within the Sierra Maestra. This rainfall will lead to areas of significant, life-threatening flash flooding along with mudslides.

Across the southeastern Bahamas, 3 to 5 inches of rain are expected, with isolated amounts around 8 inches. This rainfall could cause localized flash flooding.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Oscar, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml? Rainqpf

STORM SURGE: Elevated water levels in areas of onshore winds along the coast of eastern Cuba will gradually subside later today and tonight. Near the coast, large and dangerous waves will continue into early Tuesday.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 2:02 AM.