Winter Storm Quintus to Undergo 'Bombogenesis'

By: Alan Raymond

Published: February 14,2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

This winter we’ve heard all kinds of buzzwords, like “polar vortex,” “icemegeddon,” and “gridlockolypse.”
But recently with Winter Storm Pax, and now with Winter Storm Quintus, a new word is circulating around social media: "bombogenesis."
(MORE: Winter Storm Pax Snow, Sleet and Ice Totals)
You may be thinking, 'Well, that sounds ominous.' And in some respects it is, but it’s really not that uncommon. Bombogenesis is short for “bomb cyclogenesis,” which means a storm's central pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. That’s a sign that rapid intensification is occurring at the center of the storm and could lead to extreme weather.
Winter Storm Quintus is forecast to undergo this process tonight into late tomorrow. Late Saturday evening, Quintus  is expected to have minimum central pressure of about 992 millibars but as the system exits New England early Sunday that pressure is forecast to drop to 964 millibars.
(MORE: Winter Storm Pax Forecast)
So what happens as the storm strengthens? Wind speeds increase and precipitation can become more intense, making the effects of these winter storms much worse.
Thtat could be evident from Boston northward as snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour under heavier bands.
Bombogenesis isn’t only applicable to Nor’easters, it’s also quite common in tropical systems as well.
However, whenever a meteorologist sees bomobogenisis occurring, they're definitely looking over their forecast to see if adjustments need to be made.

MORE: Winter Storm Pax

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Snow, ice and slush covered streets and sidewalks in Baltimore, Md. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Amanda Kell)