Bomb Cyclone

Category: Geography / Climatology

  • A bomb cyclone is a rapidly intensifying mid-latitude extratropical cyclone.
  • The term generally refers to a storm undergoing bombogenesis.
  • A commonly used criterion is a pressure fall of approximately 24 millibars within 24 hours, adjusted for latitude.
  • Rapid pressure decline produces a powerful pressure gradient and can result in very strong winds.
  • Bomb cyclones can bring heavy precipitation, blizzards, coastal flooding and storm surges, depending on location.
  • They are different from tropical cyclones, because they generally form through mid-latitude frontal processes.

Prelims Pointers: Process → Bombogenesis | Typical criterion → ~24 hPa/mb fall in 24 hours | Type → Extratropical cyclone.