A bomb cyclone is an expression that is used to refer to a storm system that has rapidly become more powerful. To be categorized as a bomb cyclone, the barometric pressure must fall by 24 millibars or more during 24 hours. The phrase is derived from “bombogenesis,” an expression for a storm that intensifies quickly and brings about considerable weather effects such as heavy rain, forceful winds, and extreme cold temperatures. The bomb cyclone is a large, intense mid-latitude tempest with low atmospheric pressure at its core, weather fronts, and various related weather phenomena. Typically, these cyclones occur in wintertime and can cause cold and windy weather.
What are the impacts of Bomb Cyclone ?
The effects of bomb cyclones can be enormous, ranging from torrential downpours, powerful winds, very low temperatures, flooding, and electricity outages. Such conditions can lead to difficulty in traveling, flight interruptions and cancellations, and destruction of coastal areas. Furthermore, bomb cyclones can cause blizzards, where strong gusts of wind and snowflakes make it difficult to make out anything beyond a few feet. In certain circumstances, bomb cyclones can also generate large swells and surges that can harm buildings close to the shoreline.
What is explosive cyclogenesis ?
Explosive cyclogenesis is the acceleration of an extratropical cyclone’s low-pressure system. This phenomenon is triggered when a High Pressure system descends the East Coast, bringing a big pocket of cold air. Usually the ocean temperature is higher than the air temperature, thus when the cold air passes over the ocean, it causes the air to ascend rapidly. The air within the depression consequently increases quickly and leads to a sharp fall in pressure, which is what is termed as explosive cyclogenesis. This leads to a big and speedy decrease in air pressure, forming a bomb cyclone.
