Tropical Storm Oscar meandered over eastern Cuba on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Oscar was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 76.1°W which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Guantanamo, Cuba. Oscar was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.
Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the North Coast of Cuban province of Holguin and the North Coast of Cuban province of Guantanamo to Punta Maisi. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Southeastern Bahamas. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the South Coast of Cuban province of Guantanamo and the North Coast of Cuban province of Las Tunas. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Central Bahamas.
Former Hurricane Oscar weakened steadily as it meandered over eastern Cuba on Monday. Many of the thunderstorms in Oscar’s circulation dissipated. Bands of showers and low clouds were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Oscar. The strongest winds were occurring in bands over water north of Cuba. The winds on land were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
The distribution of winds speeds in Tropical Storm Oscar was asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of Oscar’s circulation. Those winds were occurring in the part of the circulation that was over water. The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Oscar were blowing at less than tropical storm force. Much of the western part of Oscar’s circulation was over eastern Cuba.
Tropical Storm Oscar will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Oscar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, it will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over Florida. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Oscar’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Storm Oscar could get a little stronger on Tuesday.
The upper level trough over Florida will steer Tropical Storm Oscar toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Oscar will move over the Central Bahamas on Tuesday. Tropical Storm Oscar will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Central Bahamas.
