What is a bomb cyclone? How does it differ from a blizzard and a snowstorm?
Winter is coming, already here in some parts, and with the cold weather is a number of unfamiliar types of storms.
Summer is long gone. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are already in the 2025 rear view mirror. Now preparations are being made across the United States for New Year celebrations, but as the days gradually stretch themselves longer, the nation is actually at its coldest.
Winter, as the Starks warned, is coming, although there is plenty of adverse weather already around. And despite the increasing regularity of this, not everyone is completely clear on the terms used to describe winter storms and what they mean in practice, especially with many hitting the road across the holidays. Here I’ll try to resolve some of that...
What is a blizzard?
The NWS defines a blizzard as snowfall with higher than 35 mph winds. Alongside this it has to last three or more hours. What makes the blizzard unique is the wind, as snowfall in itself doesn’t made the grade.
Did you know? When was the worst winter storm in US history?
Out of interest, the term ‘ground blizzard’ refers to when there is already snow on the land, neutralizing visibility.
What is a snowstorm?
A snowstorm is a heavy fall of snow with strong winds. “Sounds like a blizzard,” I hear you cry. Well, the truth is that it’s more of a general term without a real scientific definition so any snowfall can be counted as a snowstorm as the precipitation is falling as snow and not rain. Use it as you wish.
What is a bomb cyclone?
A bomb cyclone is a storm that strengthens extremely fast, a process called bombogenesis. It happens when a storm’s air pressure drops sharply within 24 hours, causing explosive intensification. Most form over the ocean. The rapid rise of spinning air lowers pressure, which further fuels the storm’s strength, with thunderstorms and heavy rainfall likely.
Yes, it’s a little more technical than a simple snowstorm.
Now you know what to look out for as we prepare for the winter conditions that have already begun. Or at least you can correct someone else when they throw in the wrong term while complaining about the weather, which is always nice.
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