Blizzard Warning! Winter Storm, Bomb Cyclone Causes Canceled Flights, Power Outages Across the US

The forecasted winter storm on Thursday has made its way on Saturday and felt by millions of Americans. The storm dumped thick snow, triggered a bomb cyclone, and blizzard conditions, resulting in widespread disruption to travel and damage to infrastructure.

Areas Affected By the Winter Storm

The winter storm, also known as a nor'easter or snowstorm, that formed on Friday night, has been felt by millions of Americans on Saturday. The storm brought heavy snowfall, caused a bomb cyclone, and led to blizzard conditions in multiple areas across the Northeast US.

"Blizzard conditions are expected to remain possible into early Sunday morning from eastern Massachusetts to eastern Maine," based on the forecast of the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS said strong winds may result in further power outages, and the NWS estimated snowfall accumulation may increase during the evening.

The NWS also said the winter storm will affect the Mid-Atlantic region. The winter storm prompted the NWS to issue blizzard warnings to the states of New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

In the southern areas, the NWS issued blizzard or wind chill warnings and advisories to some parts of Florida, southern Georgia, and southeast Alabama.

The winter storm has been described as a life-threatening storm, particularly in southern New England, says Jon Porter, Chief Meteorologist of AccuWeather. Despite the risks posed by the winter storm, there were no immediate reports of storm-related deaths, as per USA Today.

Also read: NWS: Millions of Americans Under Storm Watch This Weekend Due to Massive Winter Storm

Winter Storm Transforms into a Bomb Cyclone

On Saturday, the storm transformed into a bomb cyclone as it slowly moved northeastward into the eastern US coast.

The Scientific American defined a bomb cyclone as "A large, intense mid-latitude storm that has low pressure at its center, weather fronts and an array of associated weather, from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation."

A study published in the Monthly Weather Review explains a winter storm becomes a bomb cyclone when the central pressure at the storm's core decreases rapidly by at least 24 millibars (2,400 Pascal) in 24 hours.

Travel Disruption and Power Outages

Although the storm has not incurred any related deaths at this time, it caused widespread travel disruption and power outages across the US. According to Power Outage US as of Saturday night, there are power outages to more than 100,000 households near major cities in the Northeast US.

According to FlightAware, thousands of domestic and international flights have been canceled and delayed across the US on Saturday. Based on FlightAware's data, there are 4,822 flights canceled and 6,261 flights delayed to and from the US.  

Due to the slow exit of the winter storm, the NWS added that general travel will remain difficult to impossible. Its forecast further shows that gusty winds and cold temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius will continue until Sunday morning.

Further Storm Forecast

Due to the continued risks posed by the storm, local authorities issued a ban on non-emergency travel in some areas of Northeast US and urged drivers to stay off roads. In addition, the authorities urged people to prepare blankets and flashlights for prolonged periods of power outages

In the other regions of the US, the NWS is forecasting a storm system entering and impacting the Pacific Northwest, including some areas of the northern Cascades on Sunday. Moreover, a separate stormy system will bring heavy rain across central and southeast Texas on Monday.  

Related article: Massive Snowstorm Moving Toward Texas, Expected to Continue Until Wednesday Night