Hurricane Oscar is currently making its way towards Cuba, according to Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer. The storm is expected to make landfall on the eastern portion of the island later today or tonight. However, Setzer reassured cruise passengers and Floridians that the hurricane poses no threat to the United States.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, October 20, Setzer explained that Hurricane Oscar is a small tropical cyclone. As such, it is likely to be significantly weakened by its encounter with land and may not survive crossing over Cuba. Even if the storm does manage to persist, Setzer noted that weather patterns will steer it away from Florida.
“A trough in the jet stream comes along and blasts it to the northeast early this week,” Setzer stated, referring to the forces that will influence the hurricane’s path. He emphasized that there is no threat to Florida from Oscar.
This update comes as welcome news for many, especially considering the recent impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These two storms hit in quick succession earlier this year, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage on land and disrupting cruise operations.
The back-to-back hurricanes forced the closure of Port Tampa and Port Canaveral, with Tampa experiencing the most severe effects. Major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Margaritaville at Sea had to alter departure and arrival dates for their ships.
The devastation left by Helene and Milton was particularly harsh, as Milton struck while communities were still recovering from Helene’s impact. The storms left tens of thousands without power, and in some cases, without homes.
Given that the official hurricane season continues through November 1, residents of Florida and cruise passengers have been understandably anxious about any developing weather systems. Setzer’s role at Royal Caribbean involves tracking these storms to help the cruise line plan ahead and ensure passenger safety.
In an earlier post, Setzer provided even more reassuring news for Floridians. He shared a forecast indicating that the state is likely to enjoy at least a 10-day reprieve from severe weather. The meteorologist presented a shear forecast for the next 10 days, showing areas of very high shear that would disrupt or potentially destroy hurricanes.
“Even if Oscar was heading toward Florida, it would be torn to shreds before it could get here,” Setzer explained, further alleviating concerns about the storm’s potential impact.
This information is particularly relevant for the cruise industry, which has faced significant challenges due to recent hurricane activity. Cruise lines have had to make rapid adjustments to their itineraries and operations in response to these weather events, impacting both their business and the travel plans of their customers.
The updates from Royal Caribbean’s meteorologist highlight the importance of expert weather monitoring in the cruise industry. By closely tracking storm developments, cruise lines can make informed decisions about ship movements and itinerary changes, prioritizing passenger safety while minimizing disruptions to travel plans.
As Hurricane Oscar continues its path, cruise passengers and coastal residents alike will likely be keeping a close eye on further updates. However, Setzer’s assessment suggests that, at least for now, Florida and its busy cruise ports can breathe a sigh of relief. The state appears to be out of harm’s way for this particular storm, offering a welcome respite after the challenging impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton earlier in the season.