000 WTNT31 KNHC 192354 TCPAT1 BULLETIN Hurricane Oscar Intermediate Advisory Number 3A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL162024 800 PM EDT Sat Oct 19 2024 ...COMPACT BUT POWERFUL OSCAR MOVING VERY NEAR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS... SUMMARY OF 800 PM EDT...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...21.3N 71.6W ABOUT 35 MI...55 KM WSW OF GRAND TURK ISLAND ABOUT 400 MI...650 KM E OF CAMAGUEY CUBA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...987 MB...29.15 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Turks and Caicos Islands * Southeastern Bahamas A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Cuban Provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Cuban Provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Cuban Provence of Camaguey A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 800 PM EDT (0000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Oscar was located near latitude 21.3 North, longitude 71.6 West. Oscar is moving toward the west near 10 mph (17 km/h), and this motion with a gradual slowdown and turn to the west-southwest is forecast tonight into tomorrow. A sharp turn to the northeast is anticipated by late Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. A little more strengthening is possible tonight, but gradual weakening is expected to begin by Sunday night and Monday. Oscar is a very small hurricane, with hurricane-force winds only extending outward up to 5 miles (10 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 45 miles (75 km). A private weather station on South Caicos recently reported a sustained wind of 39 mph (63 km/h) and a gust of 54 mph (87 km/h). The estimated minimum central pressure is 987 mb (29.15 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Oscar can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT1 and WMO header WTNT41 KNHC and on the web at hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT1.shtml WIND: Hurricane conditions are likely occurring on parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands and are expected to spread over portions of the Southeastern Bahamas later tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning shortly. Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area of Cuba on Sunday night or early Monday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast within the warning area by Sunday afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area by Sunday night. RAINFALL: Through Tuesday, rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches with isolated amounts of 8 inches are expected across eastern Cuba. Across the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas, 2 to 4 inches are expected, with isolated amounts around 6 inches. 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: A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where water levels are expected to be between 2 and 4 feet. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Minor coastal flooding is possible along the north shore of Cuba. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM EDT. $$ Forecaster Reinhart