BULLETIN: Hurricane Oscar Advisory No. 7

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL – AL162024
500 PM EDT Sun, Oct 20, 2024

OSCAR CLOSE TO LANDFALL IN CUBA

HURRICANE CONDITIONS AND HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED OVER EASTERN CUBA TONIGHT

Summary as of 500 PM EDT (2100 UTC):

  • Location: 20.5N 74.3W
  • About: 20 miles (35 km) NNW of the eastern tip of Cuba
  • About: 60 miles (100 km) ENE of Guantánamo, Cuba
  • Maximum Sustained Winds: 80 mph (130 km/h)
  • Movement: West-southwest at six mph (9 km/h)
  • Minimum Central Pressure: 986 MB (29.12 inches)

Watches and Warnings in Effect:

  • Hurricane Warning:
    The north coast of the Cuban provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo to Punta Maisi.
  • Hurricane Watch:
    The north coast of the Cuban province of Las Tunas.
  • Tropical Storm Warning:
    • Southeastern Bahamas
    • South coast of the Cuban province of Guantánamo
    • North coast of the Cuban province of Las Tunas
  • Tropical Storm Watch:
    • North coast of the Cuban province of Camagüey
    • Central Bahamas

Discussion and Outlook:

At 500 PM EDT, the center of Hurricane Oscar was located at latitude 20.5N and longitude 74.3W. The storm is currently moving west-southwest at a slow pace of six mph (9 km/h) and is expected to shift northwest and then north on Monday and Tuesday. Oscar is projected to make landfall along the northern coast of eastern Cuba shortly, with impacts continuing into Monday.

Oscar’s maximum sustained winds are currently at 80 mph (130 km/h). The storm is expected to weaken as it moves over land, but tropical storm conditions could still affect areas north of Cuba by late Monday. Oscar is forecast to continue moving toward the central Bahamas on Tuesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km).

Hazards Affecting Land:

  • Wind:
    Hurricane conditions are expected in eastern Cuba tonight, with tropical storm conditions affecting parts of the southeastern Bahamas and Cuba through Monday. It is critical for residents in affected areas to complete their preparations and seek shelter.
  • Rainfall:
    • Eastern Cuba: 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated totals reaching 18 inches through Wednesday morning.
    • Southeastern Bahamas: 3 to 5 inches, with isolated amounts of up to 8 inches.
    • Turks and Caicos: An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall is expected.
  • Storm Surge:
    Coastal areas along Cuba’s north shore could experience water levels rising 1 to 3 feet above normal, accompanied by large and destructive waves. This storm surge could lead to significant coastal flooding and erosion, making it dangerous to stay near shorelines.

Residents in affected areas should monitor updates and heed local emergency services’ instructions. For more detailed information, please visit hurricanes.gov.