Bomb Cyclone: What Does It Mean for Those Living in US?

This week, a powerful winter storm that could strike millions of Americans might produce a rare bomb cyclone as it batters most central and eastern U.S. with heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous wind chill levels. In the meanwhile, flooding poses a hazard to the northeast. Holiday travel plans are already being hampered by the storm, which has prompted officials to issue cautions to be cautious.

Google searches for the term "bomb cyclone" seems to increase whenever meteorologists discuss the weather event; this week is no exception.

Here is all the information you want about bomb cyclones and how to be ready for them.

FRANCE-OVERSEAS-WEATHER-CYCLONE-SEA-TRANSPORT — An aerial view taken on February 11, 2022 shows the Mauritian oil tanker Tresta Star, stranded off the coast of Reunion Island, at Le Tremblet, place of the 2007 lava flow, near Saint-Philippe, after the Batsirai cyclone hit Madagascar and the area on February 6. - The emptying of the fuel tanks continues on February 11, 2022 on the Mauritian ship stranded in Saint-Philippe. Two missions are planned for the day: cleaning on board the boat and evacuation of waste, and investigations in the submerged parts to find solutions to seal the identified breaches. RICHARD BOUHET/AFP via Getty Images

Bomb Cycle Explained

The National Oceanic and Air Administration note online that a bomb cyclone, also known as bombogenesis, is a rapidly growing storm that develops when atmospheric pressure decreases by at least 24 millibars during 24 hours.

"A bomb cyclone occurs when atmospheric pressure at the center of the cyclone drops rapidly. In order to approximately qualify, the pressure needs to drop about 1 [millibar], or more, every hour over a 24-hour period," John Moore, a public affairs specialist and meteorologist for the National Weather Service, told CBS News.

But that standard also takes the storm's latitude into account. Therefore, the millibar's needs may fluctuate depending on where the storm originates.

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What Makes Storms Bomb Cyclones?

The phrase's origin may be found in a meteorological study report included in a Monthly Weather Review issue from 1980.

Tor Bergeron, a Swedish meteorology researcher, had first classified "rapidly deepening" storms as ones that matched the 24 millibars-in-24-hours requirement, which was expanded upon by MIT meteorologists Fred Sanders and John Gyakum (per CNN).

However, Bergeron was extremely high in Scandinavia, where the latitude causes storms to intensify considerably more quickly (remember the Coriolis effect?).

Sanders and Gyakum modified the ground regulations to change according to latitude. Since these storms had explosive strength due to quick pressure dips, the name "bomb" was added (though Gyakum allegedly no longer uses it due to its association with weapons).

Who Will be Affected by Bomb Cyclones?

The majority of the country, or around two-thirds, will see harsh weather in the upcoming days, according to Al Jazeera.

The Arctic front is anticipated to travel east and south to Florida, protecting much of the West Coast from the cold.

In terms of snowfall, Maue predicted that the Midwest would experience a "heck of a storm" but that the East Coast would not experience blizzard-like conditions. The National Weather Service said that by Friday, there might be up to a foot of snow in some areas around the Great Lakes.

According to Al Jazeera, a lot of snowfall and strong gusts might be problematic for travel. As the blizzard moves through the Midwest later in the week, airports there, including the major hub for travel, Chicago, are likely to be closed.