Old man winter is hitting the East Coast hard with March just around the corner as we take a look at a number of unfamiliar types of storms.
What is a bomb cyclone? How does it differ from a blizzard and a snowstorm?
New York City is getting hammered by high winds and heavy snow, but 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.
Out of interest, the term ‘ground blizzard’ refers to when there is already snow on the land, neutralizing visibility.
Horrible travel around our BLIZZARD/ICE STORM that continues to hammer the northeast quarter of the USA. Interstates and highways are closed in Iowa and other areas and ICE is accreting in upstate NY and northern New England. Plattsburgh already with 0.30". Pick you hazard:… pic.twitter.com/saP5u0qBsE
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) December 29, 2025
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.
It was all hands on deck for officials in Suffolk County, New York, on Saturday morning after the region was pounded by a snowstorm all night the day prior.#newyork #winter #snow #snowplow #travel #northeast #FoxWeather pic.twitter.com/zyskI0AIhW
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) December 29, 2025
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.
Huge blow coming to Michigan
— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) December 27, 2025
50-70 mph wind gusts along the Great Lakes into early Monday from powerful "bomb cyclone" blizzard
12-18" snow in northern MN/WI
24"+ in UP of Michigan pic.twitter.com/YbZoIs8rQO
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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