How bomb cyclones form and create dangerous conditions

By ISABELLA O’MALLEY The Related Press

When stormy weather With excessive winds and heavy snow forecast, meteorologists typically warn {that a} storm may “erupt” or change into a bomb cyclone. However what precisely does this imply?

In keeping with the U.S. Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sure storms endure bombogenesis, which occurs when a storm’s central stress drops by no less than 24 millibars inside 24 hours. These storms are typically referred to as bomb cyclones. Storm depth is measured by central stress, so the decrease the stress, the stronger the storm.

Such quickly strengthening storms can carry heavy rain, snowstorm conditions and intense winds that may create hazardous situations, resembling fallen timber and power outage.

“When you’re watching TV at night time and the climate report comes on and also you hear a ‘bomb cyclone’ being talked about, that normally means there’s fairly a little bit of energetic climate happening,” says Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the Nationwide Climate Service in School Park, Maryland.

Bomb cyclones can happen at any season, however are commonest through the fall and winter, when frigid air from the Arctic can creep south and collide with hotter air plenty.

“It is truly the collision of these air plenty that basically helps generate the areas of low stress within the first place,” Orrison stated.

Areas of North America vulnerable to bomb cyclones embrace Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and the Nice Lakes area.

“It is not widespread to seek out bomb cyclones at decrease latitudes, so typically you would not see a bomb cyclone in, say, the southern United States,” Orrison says.

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