In a dramatic weather event expected to escalate through the week, a bomb cyclone is bearing down on the US Northwest, bringing severe rain, snow, high winds, and other dangerous conditions to more than seven million residents along the Pacific Coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) alerted that the storm has already begun affecting the region, with intensified impacts anticipated as the system develops through the end of the week.
Characterized by rapidly dropping air pressure, the bomb cyclone poses multiple hazards such as flash flooding, rock slides, debris flows, and heavy mountain snow, particularly in high-elevation areas. Parts of the region like Seattle are already experiencing strong gusts of wind. Forecasters predict that this storm will be similar to a one that hit California back in March 2023.
Under the NOAA’s updated forecast, the storm is expected to deliver vast amounts of wet snow across the Pacific Northwest mountain ranges, with potential accumulations of 2-3 inches an hour and wind gusts reaching up to 65 mph. Travel disruptions are expected due to whiteout conditions, especially in mountainous areas where 10 to 20 inches of snow could accumulate.
On the coast, high wind gusts threaten to bring power outages and downed trees, while heavy rainfall poses the risk of mudslides. A high-risk excessive rainfall outlook has been issued for northwest California, with the greatest threat ranging from northern California to southwest Oregon as the storm progresses.
The National Weather Service has issued various winter weather alerts and storm warnings, advising residents to prepare for numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, outages, and potential damage from fallen trees.
Meteorologically, a bomb cyclone refers to a storm system that dramatically increases in intensity, with a central air pressure drop of at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. This phenomenon yields a wide variety of dangerous weather patterns ranging from blizzards to severe thunderstorms and heavy precipitation. While such events are typical at this time of year, the union of an atmospheric river with a bomb cyclone presents an exceptionally severe weather scenario.
As the Pacific Northwest braces for the onslaught of this bomb cyclone, residents are urged to stay updated and heed warnings from local authorities to ensure safety during this tumultuous weather event.
