As winter sets in, the eastern part of the U.S. is experiencing messy weather due to a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system. While this storm may not reach “bomb cyclone” status, it is still expected to bring significant snowfall to parts of New York State and southern Maine.
The low-pressure system responsible for this winter blast originated in the Midwest before moving eastward through the Ohio Valley and mid-South. As it continues its path towards the East Coast, a second low-pressure system is developing off the mid-Atlantic coast. Although this second system is expected to intensify as it moves north towards Cape Cod, it is unlikely to reach bomb cyclone status.
A bomb cyclone occurs when a storm rapidly drops in pressure within 24 hours. While the low-pressure system moving off the East Coast will not meet the criteria for a bomb cyclone, it will still bring strong winds and snow to parts of Maine. However, warmer air near the Northeast to mid-Atlantic region is keeping major cities like Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. mostly rain-free.
The heaviest snowfall, ranging from eight to 12 inches, is expected across southern New England and New York State. Most of the precipitation is projected to clear out by Wednesday morning, with cold air continuing to plunge into the central and eastern U.S. through the weekend. This cold pattern is likely to persist throughout December.
The recent winter storm was preceded by stratospheric warming above the North Pole, which weakened the polar vortex and allowed cold air to descend southward. This phenomenon may lead to additional disturbances in the polar vortex in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, while this winter storm may not be classified as a bomb cyclone, it is still bringing disruptive weather conditions to the eastern U.S. As the season progresses, it is important to stay informed about weather patterns and their impact on our daily lives.
