A frightening-sounding meteorological phenomenon known as a “bomb cyclone” is accompanying a strong storm that is advancing on the West Coast.
Weather enthusiasts use the term “bomb cyclone” to refer to a process that meteorologists typically refer to as “bombogenesis.” It is the quick intensification of a cyclone and can occur during strong storms like the one that the Pacific Northwest and northern California are getting ready for this week.
What exactly is a bomb cyclone, though, and why are these powerful storms so dreaded?
A bomb cyclone: what is it?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a bomb cyclone is a cyclone that rapidly intensifies between the tropics and the polar regions. According to the organization, it can happen when a cold and warm air mass combine, which can happen over ocean waters.
It can be difficult to identify whether a cyclone qualifies as a bomb cyclone, although it typically involves a rapid drop in pressure. The National Weather Service measures atmospheric pressure in millibars. According to Stephen Baron, a meteorological service forecaster in Gray, Maine, a storm may be classified as a bomb cyclone if its pressure drops by 24 millibars or more in a 24-hour period or less.
Rapid hurricane strengthening is one of the more frequent occurrences, according to Baron. On occasion, we do witness it with Nor Easters.
Why is the West Coast experiencing this?
Due to the strong storm that is predicted to hit northern California and the Pacific Northwest, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center has issued an excessive rainfall danger for Tuesday through Friday. The area is seeing an atmospheric river, a lengthy plume of moisture, over the Pacific Ocean as the storm approaches.
The storm grew quickly enough to be classified as a bomb cyclone, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
Bomb cyclones are not exclusive to the West Coast; they can occur anywhere. They can be found in the North Atlantic and Northwest Pacific, among other oceanic regions.
What circumstances might it bring?
There will likely be a lot of rain during this storm. Depending on elevation, that might cause winter storms and flash flooding in several West Coast locations.
In certain areas of the West Coast, high wind watches are also anticipated.
There will likely be power disruptions and dangerous travel conditions. Trees and infrastructure may potentially sustain serious damage.
When else has it occurred?
In recent years, bomb cyclones have been linked to significant meteorological occurrences across the nation.A recent example of a bomb cyclone, according to Baron, was storm Milton, which made landfall in Florida last month as a Category 3 storm.
A 2018 bomb cyclone that delivered snow to the Southeast and near-hurricane-force winds helped popularize the term on social media.Much of the nation experienced severe weather and biting cold in 2022.
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