People on the US east coast dealing with a winter storm that is set to deliver plunging temperatures, strong winds, blizzards and coastal flooding have been provided with a suitably stark term for the experience –Bomb cyclone.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines the “bomb” phenomenon as being a mid-latitude cyclone that rapidly intensifies as cold air collides with warm air, typically over warmer ocean waters. This process causes a steep drop in atmospheric pressure of at least 24 millibars over 24 hours.
The ‘bomb’ is in reference to the speed of the change; the real significant difference will be the increase in wind that is whipped up,”
There will be a huge impact from the wind and coastal flooding. It will be brutally cold. We really hope people will hunker down and stay indoors.”
“As long as people understand what bomb means in this context, it’s helpful for the speed of preparation for the storm,” said Kelly Lombardo, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Connecticut.
