‘Bomb cyclone’ to bring damaging weather to US Pacific regions

A storm approaching the US northwest coast is forecast to bring strong winds, flooding and snow to more than seven million residents of states along the Pacific Ocean.

It began to affect the region on Tuesday and is expected to worsen by the end of the week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Beyond wind, rain and snow, a storm can also bring floods, rock slides and debris flows as well as heavy mountain snow and snow conditions at high altitudes.

A “bomb typhoon” – as forecasters call it – is caused by a rapidly decreasing air pressure on the coast, which has quickly intensified the weather.

Parts of the northwest are beginning to feel the effects of the storm, with strong winds already seen in the Seattle area.

NOAA’s National Weather Service said the storm is expected to bring heavy, wet snow to mountains in the Pacific Northwest at accumulation rates of 2-3in (5-8cm) per hour and gusts of up to 65 mph (29mps).

The weather could bring whiteout conditions that will make travel difficult, according to NOAA. 10-20in (25-50cm) of snow is possible in places.

The storms could cause power outages, downed trees and coastal flooding, the U.S. weather agency said, issuing a “severe risk of excessive rainfall” for northwest California.

The heaviest rain – which could bring mud – is expected to hit northern California and southwestern Oregon, according to NOAA.

The National Weather Service has also issued winter weather warnings and winter storm warnings through Wednesday for several other areas along the Pacific coast.

“Extensive flooding, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches maximum strength,” the National Weather Prediction Center wrote on the X site.

A bomb storm is the name given by meteorologists to a storm that appears to be rapidly intensifying, with its average air pressure dropping to at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.

They are called ‘bomb’ storms because of the explosive power of these storms caused by the rapid collapse of pressure.

A hurricane comes with a variety of weather, from tornadoes to severe thunderstorms to heavy rain.

BBC weather forecaster Helen Rossington said the bomb cyclone will start by bringing strong winds, rain and snow to the north-west coast before the region is battered by heavy rain, mountain snow and the risk of flooding.

These weather events are unusual for this time of year.

Similar tropical cyclone events — where small areas of moisture move outside the tropics — have occurred across North America in the past few weeks.

But atmospheric river conditions combined with a bomb storm can create a major weather event.