Winter hurricane? Adam Joseph explains 'bombogenesis' ahead of weekend storm
Bombogenesis happens when "a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours."
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Parts of the Philadelphia region could see more snow this weekend as a powerful storm moves up the coast.
The question is not whether the storm forms, it will be a powerful storm, but where it will strike.
This weekend's storm could have the intensity of a hurricane as it undergoes "bombogenesis." But what does that mean?
Bombogenesis happens when "a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours." This extreme and rapid change in pressure forms a very strong storm, a so-called "weather bomb" or "bomb cyclone."
"Bomb Cyclone" is not an official term. Meteorologists and scientists use bombogenesis.
Bombogenesis occurs most commonly off the East Coast; the most common recipe for it to form is "cold air along the land, warm air over the water," according to AccuWeather.
AccuWeather says the storm begins Friday evening and ends early Saturday afternoon. Strong winds will accompany this upcoming storm and coastal flooding in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast is a given.
For the latest update, including which parts of our region might see snow, check the latest AccuWeather forecast below.
