A bomb cyclone, also known as bombogenesis or explosive cyclogenesis, is a rapidly intensifying mid-latitude cyclone. Whenever a major storm stirs up, a bomb cyclone could accompany it, especially in the winter months. In mid-November 2024, a formidable bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest, severely affecting Washington, Oregon, and California.
The storm produced hurricane-force winds exceeding 70 mph, resulting in widespread power outages and substantial damage across the region. This guide will help you with the updates on the bomb cyclone area and when it will hit in the future. It will also reveal the differences between bomb cyclones and hurricanes and the best battery backups for homes to stay safe in power outages.
What is a Bomb Cyclone?
A bomb cyclone or bomb cyclone storm is a powerful storm that rapidly intensifies and causes a significant drop in atmospheric pressure. The central pressure of a bomb cyclone drops by at least 24 millibars in nearly 24 hours. It can cause heavy rainfall, strong winds, snow, and coastal flooding. While they are most common in winter, you can expect bomb cyclones year-round.
Bomb Cyclone Areas Updates
In mid-November 2024, a formidable bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest, severely affecting Washington, Oregon, and California. The bomb cyclone that brought intense rainfall and high winds has left hundreds of thousands of people without power across Washington, Oregon, and California. The bomb cyclone storm brought gusts over 70 mph to some places. The below sections shed more light on the weather forecast for bomb cyclones:
Bomb Cyclone Washington
A bomb cyclone hit Washington in November 2024, causing downed trees, heavy winds, and long-term power outages in many parts. The storm not only left many people without power but also left at least two people dead. Over 600,000 homes and businesses were left without power amidst the bomb cyclone.
Bomb Cyclone Oregon
In Oregon, around 2,800 customers were left without power as the high winds and heavy rain disrupted their daily lives.
Bomb Cyclone California
In Northern California, the US Weather Prediction Center warned of a high risk of excessive rainfall, mudslides, and flash flooding. San Francisco Bay is expected to have up to 8 inches (20cm) of rain. The bomb cyclone in Northern California left 38,000 customers without power.
Seattle Bomb Cyclone
Over 100,000 of the customers who were left without power were from the city of Seattle. The number of overall outages began to fall after a few days of the bomb cyclone, but some utilities warned it could be days before some power is restored, especially in the hardest-hit areas.
When is a Bomb Cyclone Going to Hit
As of December 2024, no official forecasts indicate that a bomb cyclone will impact the Pacific Northwest or other regions of the United States in the immediate future. But when is the bomb cyclone going to hit? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) have not issued any advisories or warnings related to such weather events.
However, it's important to note that weather conditions can change rapidly, especially during the chilly winter months when atmospheric dynamics are more volatile. Given the unpredictable nature of weather patterns, it's advisable to stay informed by regularly checking updates from reliable sources such as the NWS and NOAA.
You can visit the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) websites for the most current information. Additionally, following their official social media accounts can provide real-time updates and alerts. Remember, staying informed is key to ensuring safety during dynamic weather conditions.
Bomb Cyclone vs Hurricane
A bomb cyclone is the rapid intensification of a cyclone in a very short amount of time that drops 24 millibars or more in 24 hours or less. It relies on contrasting air masses and needs upper-level winds to organize.
On the other hand, hurricanes depend on warm, moist air coming from the ocean to grow in strength. Like a bomb cyclone, hurricanes also rapidly drop in pressure in a short amount of time. Here, we will explain the differences between a bomb cyclone and a hurricane:
Formation: Hurricanes often develop over warm tropical waters and derive energy from warm ocean surfaces. On the other hand, bomb cyclones form in mid-latitudes and result from the rapid intensification of low-pressure systems due to temperature contrasts between air masses.
Structure: Hurricanes have a warm core and a well-defined eye, with symmetrical wind patterns. In contrast, bomb cyclones typically exhibit a cold core and lack a distinct eye, with more asymmetrical wind distributions.
Seasonality: Hurricanes primarily occur during the late summer and early fall, aligning with peak ocean temperatures. Bomb cyclones are more common during the colder months when temperature contrasts are more pronounced.
Power Outages During Bomb Cyclone
According to PowerOutage.us, the bomb cyclone of November 2024 knocked out electricity to more than 600,000 homes and businesses in Washington, Oregon, and California. Such outages disrupted daily life and posed significant challenges, especially for those reliant on electrically powered medical equipment. It's essential to have contingency plans and backup power solutions in place to mitigate these impacts.
Jackery Home Backup Power for Bomb Cyclone Power Outages
If you are someone seeking a reliable battery backup that supports the charging of essential household appliances, Jackery offers a wide range of solar generators that are designed to meet varying needs. The Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.
The portable solar panels can be placed in direct sunlight to collect the sun's energy and convert it into DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter of the portable power station then converts DC to AC electricity, which is suitable for charging household appliances. Depending on the length of the power outage and how many kWh does a house use, here are the recommended Jackery Solar Generators.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus: For 1+ Week Power Outage
The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the most trusted home battery backup that can charge almost all household appliances. It features dual voltage support (120V and 240V), which means the battery backup is capable of charging appliances working at 120V or 240V.
It supports multiple add-ons to expand the capacity from 5kWh to 60kWh and ensure you can safely navigate even a week of power outage. With the help of Jackery Smart Transfer Switch, you can connect the battery backup to the home's electricity system and ensure seamless transition during power outages.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus: For 2+ Days Power Outage
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a reliable home battery backup that supports charging appliances during power outages. Depending on your electricity needs, the expandable solar-powered generator can be extended from 2 kWh up to 24 kWh with the add-ons. This flexibility makes it suitable for various scenarios, from short-term outages to longer-term off-grid situations. It can also be connected to the home's electricity system with the transfer switch to switch from grid power to battery backup power.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro: For 1-3 Days Power Outage
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a large battery capacity that can charge 99% of your household appliances, such as refrigerators, heaters, lights, TVs, etc. It is built with an ergonomic design featuring a foldable handle, pull rod, and double wheels to make transportation easier. It offers a balance between portability and power, providing a substantial capacity suitable for 1-3 days of power backup, making it ideal for home emergencies.
Conclusion
The bomb cyclone that kicked off in November 2024 became one of the strongest storms in the Northeast Pacific on record, resulting in damaging winds across the area. The storm met the criteria for what meteorologists call bombogenesis. If you want to stay protected from the disruptions and power outages caused by the bomb cyclone, it is essential to invest in reliable battery backups. Jackery Solar Generators are powerful and portable charging solutions that can charge almost all household appliances for long hours or even days.
Leave a comment