The potent nor’easter that’s currently hammering the Northeast region has officially developed into a bomb cyclone after meeting the meteorological criteria.
Branded as Winter Storm Hernando by The Weather Channel, the system has “bombed out” with a central pressure of 988mb.
Bomb cyclones, with the process known as bombogenesis, form when the central pressure of a storm drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. (RELATED: Potent Nor’easter Bomb Cyclone To Blast Northeast With Largest Snowstorm In Years)
Though the decrease in pressure can differ depending on latitude, the rapid intensification clearly shows a system that’s extremely violent. The 24-millibar plummet in a 24-hour window is the standard.
In regards to New York City, the largest city impacted by the nor’easter bomb cyclone, the needed fall in pressure to be categorized as a “bomb” is around 17.8 millibars throughout one day.
It’s been confirmed by the FOX Forecast Center that the system is quickly deepening off the coast, and overnight, will cause hurricane-force wind gusts and heavy snow bands that feature great instability.
In terms of weather impacts, a nor’easter organizing into a bomb cyclone is a life-threatening escalation.
With the pressure bottoming out in the overnight hours Monday morning, it resulted in accelerating winds and more intense snowfall unleashing 2-3 inches per hour in isolated zones. The storm rapidly becoming more powerful is exactly why over 40 million Americans are facing Blizzard Warnings. (RELATED: Puerto Rico Gets Shook By Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake)
At the time of publication, there are more than 200,000 power outages in the Northeast due to Winter Storm Hernando.
Departing from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 71 Hurricane Hunters are currently headed for the nor’easter bomb cyclone to gather data.