Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Tropical rainstorm brings torrential downpours and dangerous flash flooding to Louisiana Chevron right
Flash flood risk to focus on parts of central US. Get the forecast Chevron right

Columbus, OH

76°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

76°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

What is a bomb cyclone?

We often hear that a storm system is undergoing 'bombogenesis' or, more simply put, is developing into a 'bomb cyclone.' But what exactly do these foreboding weather terms mean?

By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather Managing Editor & Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Updated Dec 10, 2024 4:14 PM EDT

Copied

As a monster snowstorm undergoes bombogenesis, satellite imagery shows it sweeping up the Northeast bringing blizzard conditions, including hurricane-force winds.

As a major storm moves in to blast the Northeast U.S. with high winds and heavy rain this week, many may be hearing the term "bomb cyclone." You may have heard or read about a bomb cyclone or a storm system undergoing "bombogenesis," but what exactly do these weather terms mean?

In simple terms, bombogenesis, a term used by meteorologists, is a large storm that undergoes rapid strengthening over a 24-hour period. The vast majority of such storms occur over the ocean. The storm can be tropical or non-tropical in nature.

Static Bering Sea storm of 2015

This image shows a storm over the Bering Sea in March 2015 that underwent bombogenesis. (NOAA/University of Wisconsin-Madison/Satellite)

NOAA/University of Wisconsin-Madison

The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. All storms are cyclones, and genesis means creation or beginning. In this case, bomb refers to explosive development and altogether the term means explosive storm strengthening.

A cyclone is essentially a giant rising column of air that spins counterclockwise over the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, they spin clockwise.

When air rises, it produces a vacuum effect that results in lower atmospheric pressure. When a storm strengthens, the column of air rises at an increasing rate as the pressure within the storm lowers.

"Storms, of course, always have lower atmospheric pressure, but in this case the atmospheric pressure is lowering very quickly as the storm system intensifies," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. "The barometric pressure will greatly reduce very quickly."

Average storms in the winter have a low barometric pressure reading of 29.53 inches of mercury. Some of the most intense storms may have a barometric pressure below 29.00 inches. But it's not the lowest pressure that defines bombogenesis but how quickly the pressure within the storm plummets.

When the barometric pressure falls at least 0.71 of an inch of mercury (24 millibars) in 24 hours, a storm has undergone bombogenesis.

For example, a weak storm that began with a barometric pressure of 29.98 inches and ended up with a barometric pressure of 29.27 inches in 24 hours underwent bombogenesis.

The Superstorm of 1993 (Storm of the Century) from March 12-13 is a prime example of a storm that underwent bombogenesis. The storm strengthened from 29.41 inches (996 mb) to 28.45 inches (963 mb), or nearly 1.00 inch (33 mb), in 24 hours. Much of this strengthening occurred over land.

Static Animation Blizzard of 1993

This animation shows the evolution of the March 1993 superstorm. (NOAA/satellite)

Other examples of storms that underwent bombogenesis: Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005; the Blizzard of 2015 (Jan. 26-27); the Bering Sea storm of December 2015; Storm Dennis, which impacted the United Kingdom on Feb. 14, 2020; and the storms that hit the northeastern and western United States in late October 2021.

Storms that undergo bombogenesis are among the most violent weather systems that affect a broad area. This is because the rapidly ascending air near the center of the storm must be replaced by air surrounding the storm. As these winds move toward the center of the storm at high speed, property damage can occur, trees may fall and the power may go out.

The western North Atlantic is one favored area for storms to undergo bombogenesis. This is a region where cold air from North America collides with warm air over the Atlantic Ocean. Warm waters of the Gulf Stream may also provide a boost in a festering storm. As a result, some nor'easters undergo bombogenesis.

The intense winds often create massive seas and may cause significant beach erosion. Very heavy rain and/or snow may fall in the path of a storm undergoing bombogenesis. Precipitation rate is produced from the rising column of air. When air rises, it cools and moisture condenses to form clouds and rain or snow. The faster the air rises and cools, the heavier the precipitation.

More to read:

What is a snow squall?
What is a Nor'easter and how they impact the East Coast
What is an atmospheric river?
Report a Typo

Weather News

video

Renewed flash flooding sweeps through New Mexico

Jul. 18, 2025
Recreation

Felix Baumgartner, known for jump from stratosphere, dies in crash

Jul. 18, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Severe Weather

When water hits like a tornado: The violent force of flash flooding

1 day ago

Weather Forecasts

Flash flood risk to focus on parts of central US into next week

4 hours ago

Weather News

Lightning strike kills one, injures several young scouts in New Jersey

1 day ago

Weather Forecasts

When will the Northeast get relief from the heat and humidity?

4 hours ago

Weather News

Powerful earthquake rattles Alaska, prompted rare tsunami warning

14 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

Curious Colorado bear rescued from storm drain

10 hours ago

Weather News

Dinosaur fossil found underneath a Denver museum’s parking lot

1 day ago

Recreation

Yellowstone’s landscape shifts again with discovery of new hot pool

1 day ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

1 week ago

Weather News

Giant shoes found spark mystery around the soldiers of ancient Rome

4 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News What is a bomb cyclone?
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...