8 Things You Need to Know About Bomb Cyclone
A bomb cyclone is blasting into the Pacific Northwest, where significant impacts are expected. As this deep thunderstorm system nears, stay safe & sound & informed.
As heavy rains and possible
flooding reach within the vicinity of residents, weather trackers and alarms
raised by concerned authorities should be observed closely. Avoid going out
unnecessarily, ready for power blackouts.
What Is A Bomb Cyclone, And How Do They Work?
A bomb cyclone is by definition
a battle of air masses at the surface. There was; Polar (cold) air meeting
tropical (warm, moisture-laden) air mass. This steep temperature difference
helps feed the storm. With the storm strengthening, the difference in atmospheric
pressure will increase too, feeding higher winds and greater rain amounts into
it.
Another factor could be climate
change, which might be playing a role in the number and strength of bomb
cyclones. These storms are supercharged by warmer ocean temperatures, which
offer increased energy that could make them larger and more dangerous.
The Impact of Bomb Cyclones
Bomb cyclones have vast impacts. Places with coastline stand to lose development to storm surge and
flooding. Strong winds can bring over the trees, power lines, and many things
causing wide spread black outs and disturbance in transport. Blizzard
conditions can bury areas in snow, creating treacherous travel and leading to
closures of schools & businesses.
Preparing for a Bomb Cyclone
A bomb cyclone can be very
dangerous if you are not prepared to deal with it. Here are some tips:
Be Aware: Follow weather
conditions and alerts from trusted media
Emergency Kit: Prepare and
store necessary materials, water non-refrigerated foodstuffs medicines and
first aid supplies
Protect Your Home:
Tie down anything that can blow away and board windows up.
Protect Your Car: Move your car to a safe location beforehand.
Evacuate if needed: Follow the
evacuation requests and evacuate to a safe place.
Get Inside: Refrain from
Traveling Through the Storm
Unplug Electronics — Disconnect
your electronics from power surges.
Keep Warm: Wear warm layers and
conserve heat.
FAQs
What is a bomb cyclone? A bomb
cyclone is a storm system that intensifies very quickly, defined by the central
pressure of a low dropping within 24 hours.
In a regular year, about two to
four bomb cyclones happen in late fall and winter; either the Pacific or
Atlantic coasts typically experiences waves of them. There can be a few bomb
cyclones each year, especially in winter.
Does climate change cause more
frequent bomb cyclones? Although more research is needed, a few studies
indicate that climate change could be affecting the amount of bomb cyclones
that happen and how drastic they act.
Hurricane vs. bomb cyclone:
What is the difference? Hurricanes form over warm oceans, and rely on the
energy from latent heat released when water vapor condenses. In contrast, a
bomb cyclone develops over land or cold water and draws its energy from the
temperature difference between warm and cold air masses.