The storm, which is developing along the northwest coast of the United States, is predicted to bring strong winds, flooding and snowfall to more than 7 million residents of the Pacific states.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it began affecting the region on Tuesday and is expected to worsen through the weekend.
In addition to wind, rain, and snow, the storm may bring flash flooding, rock slides, and debris flows, as well as heavy mountain snow and blizzard conditions in high-altitude areas.
“Bomb cyclones” – as forecasters call them – fall quickly off the coast due to the pressure of the wind, which has accelerated the weather system.
Getty ImagesWhen and where will it hit?
Parts of the Northwest are already feeling the effects of the storm, with strong winds already seen in the Seattle area.
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center said the storm is expected to bring accumulation rates of 2-3in (5-8cm) per hour over mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest and sustained winds of 65 mph (29mps). is
According to NOAA, the weather could bring whiteout conditions that will make travel difficult. 10-20in (25-50cm) of snow could fall in places.
Wind gusts could bring power outages, downed trees and high surf along the coastline, the U.S. Weather Agency said, issuing a “high risk of extreme rainfall” for northwestern California.
The heaviest rain — which could bring mudslides — is expected to hit northern California and southwestern Oregon, according to NOAA.
The National Weather Service also issued winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings through Wednesday for the Pacific Coast as well as several other areas.
“Several flooding, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches maximum intensity,” the National Weather Prediction Center wrote in a post on X.
What is Bomb Cyclone?
A bomb cyclone is a term given by meteorologists to a storm that appears to intensify rapidly, with its central air pressure dropping to at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
These storms are called ‘bomb’ cyclones because of their explosive power due to the rapid drop in pressure.
The storm brings with it an array of weather, ranging from blizzards to severe thunderstorms.
BBC weather forecaster Helen Rossington said the bomb cyclone would first bring strong winds, rain and snow to the north-west coast before the region faced the risk of prolonged rain, mountain snow and flooding. Be done.
These weather events are not unusual for this time of year.
Similar atmospheric river events — when small areas of moisture travel out of the tropics — have occurred across North America over the past few weeks.
But conditions in an atmospheric river can combine with a bomb cyclone to produce a major weather event.
