Bomb cyclone
Also called: Bombogenesis · Topic: Air Masses, Fronts, Cyclones and Thunderstorms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A bomb cyclone is a mid-latitude cyclone that grows stronger very fast. Its central pressure falls by at least 24 hPa within 24 hours. This rule was set by Sanders and Gyakum in 1980. The fast-growing storm is also called bombogenesis. It forms where very cold air meets very warm air, often over warm ocean currents in winter. Bomb cyclones bring violent winds, blizzards (heavy snowstorms with strong wind) or heavy rain.
Example
In winter, bomb cyclones often form off the east coast of the United States, over the warm waters of the western North Atlantic. They can bury cities such as Boston and New York under heavy snow and strong winds.
Don't confuse with
- Rapid intensification: this is a term for tropical cyclones. It is measured by wind speed: maximum winds rise by at least 30 knots (about 55 km/h) in 24 hours. A bomb cyclone is a mid-latitude storm, and it is measured by a fall in pressure.