The Pacific Northwest is getting ready for a powerful storm. A big question is: What makes this storm so dangerous? An atmospheric river and a rare bomb cyclone are coming together, making everyone very alert.
This storm will bring strong winds and lots of rain. Wind gusts could hit over 90 miles per hour. Some places might see up to 16 inches of rain. The Weather Prediction Center warns of excessive rainfall and hurricane-force winds.
Experts are worried about this storm. They’re concerned about how the atmospheric river and bomb cyclone will cause damage. As the West Coast prepares, understanding this storm is crucial to stay safe.
Understanding the Rare Weather Phenomenon Hitting Pacific Bay Areas
The Pacific Bay Areas are facing a rare storm called a “bomb cyclone.” This storm quickly gets stronger, with a big drop in pressure in just 24 hours. It’s meeting an atmospheric river, a huge plume of moisture, which means the area could see a lot of damage.
What Makes This Storm a “Bomb Cyclone”
A bomb cyclone is a storm that gets much stronger fast. It happens when the pressure at its center drops by 24 millibars in 24 hours. This leads to strong winds, lots of rain, and other severe weather.
Atmospheric River Intensity and Impact
The area is also dealing with an atmospheric river. This is a long, narrow stream of moisture from the tropics. It’s expected to bring a lot of rain and snow, especially in Pacific Bay Areas like estuaries and harbors. Experts say this could cause flooding, power outages, and other dangers.
Rainfall and Snow Accumulation Predictions
- In northern California and southwestern Oregon, up to 16 inches of rain is expected through Friday.
- The Sierra Nevada mountains are under a winter storm watch, with potential for 15 inches of snow over two days.
- Wind gusts could reach 75 mph in mountain areas.
- The Cascades and parts of far northern California are experiencing heavy, wet snow, with accumulation rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour and wind gusts up to 65 mph, creating blizzard and whiteout conditions.
This rare weather phenomenon and the storm intensity are a big threat to the Pacific Bay Areas. It could cause a lot of damage and disruption. It’s important for everyone to stay safe and follow all warnings.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Response Across Western States
The storm system has caused big disruptions and emergency responses across the Western United States. In Washington state, nearly 460,000 customers lost electricity due to fallen trees and power lines. Sadly, at least two people have died in western Washington because of the storm.
Schools in Seattle and other areas have closed because of the dangerous conditions. The storm has also hit states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Alaska. In Oregon, a part of Interstate 5 was closed because of the bad weather, making travel harder.
Emergency teams are facing many challenges and dangerous roads across several states. The National Weather Service warns about the dangers of falling trees during high winds. They also advise to be careful when driving or near windows. As the storm hits inlets and water bodies, local authorities and emergency services are working hard to help and keep people safe.
FAQ
What makes this storm a “bomb cyclone”?
This storm is called a “bomb cyclone” because it grows very fast. It’s fueled by large plumes of moisture known as atmospheric rivers. These can lead to a lot of rain.
What is the intensity and impact of the atmospheric river?
Northern California and southwestern Oregon are expecting up to 16 inches of rain by Friday. The Sierra Nevada mountains are under a winter storm watch. They could see 15 inches of snow in just two days.
Wind gusts might hit 75 mph in the mountains.
What are the rainfall and snow accumulation predictions?
The Cascades and parts of far northern California are getting heavy, wet snow. Snow is falling at 2 to 3 inches per hour. Wind gusts could reach 65 mph, causing blizzard and whiteout conditions.
What is the widespread impact and emergency response across Western States?
The storm has caused power outages, with over 460,000 customers without electricity in Washington state. At least two people have died from falling trees in western Washington.
Schools are closed across the region, including in Seattle. Emergency teams are working hard to handle accidents and dangerous roads in multiple states.
