What Is a ‘Bomb Cyclone’?

The storm that's hitting the US and Canada is called a bomb cyclone. This is a very strong storm and it is bringing a lot of snow or rain to many areas.

A mass of air can meet a high-pressure mass. High pressure and low pressure create winds. A bomb cyclone is defined by how quickly the pressure in the low-pressure mass falls. The winds are made stronger by the increased pressure difference between the two air mass. Bombogenesis is the process of rapid intensifying.

The cyclonic effect is created by the rotation of the earth. When viewed from above, the direction is counterclockwise.

According to John Moore, a spokesman for the National Weather Service, the conditions for a bomb cyclone had been met over the Great Lakes.

Elsewhere the air pressure was as high as 1047 bars. He said it was a really sharp curve.

Mr. Moore said that bombogenesis should continue as the area where the two air mass meet moves northward.

As the air in the north warms it will reduce the pressure difference. The storm won't come back. He said that temperatures will be above average next week.