What Is Bomb Cyclone? All About Powerful Winter Storm Hammering Parts of US With Hurricane-Force Winds and Snowfall; Check List of Areas Under Threat
A bomb cyclone is a powerful storm that intensifies through bombogenesis, a process where atmospheric pressure drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. Currently, parts of the U.S. Southeast, including the Carolinas and Virginia, are under threat of record snowfall and blizzard conditions as this historic system "bombs out" off the coast.
Mumbai, February 1: A powerful winter storm has rapidly intensified into a "bomb cyclone" off the U.S. East Coast today, February 1, 2026, placing over 240 million people under winter weather alerts. The storm, which underwent a process of explosive strengthening known as bombogenesis, is currently lashing the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia with hurricane-force winds and the heaviest snowfall seen in the region in nearly a decade.
With record-breaking accumulations and life-threatening cold expanding as far south as Florida, authorities are urging residents to remain indoors as travel across major interstate corridors becomes near-impossible. US Winter Storm 2026: When the Arctic Blast Peaks and Which States Are Worst Hit by Cold Wave.
What Is Bomb Cyclone?
What Is Bomb Cyclone?
A bomb cyclone is not a typical winter storm; it is defined by a meteorological process called bombogenesis. This occurs when a mid-latitude cyclone’s central atmospheric pressure drops by at least 24 millibars within a 24-hour period. This "explosive" drop in pressure signals a rapid intensification of the storm's power.
The current system has exceeded these standard benchmarks, with meteorologists recording a pressure drop of 35 to 40 millibars. This rapid deepening creates a tight pressure gradient that accelerates winds to hurricane-force levels and allows the storm to pull in massive amounts of moisture, leading to intense snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour.
Areas Under Immediate Threat
While bomb cyclones are more common in the North Atlantic or New England, this rare "Southeast bomb" has centered its most severe impacts on regions unaccustomed to such extreme winter weather.
North Carolina & Virginia: The "bullseye" of the storm covers eastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks, where 8 to 14 inches of snow are forecast. Major hubs including Raleigh, Charlotte, and Norfolk are facing their most significant winter events in years.
South Carolina & Georgia: Substantial accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are hitting parts of northeast Georgia and South Carolina, including cities like Columbia and Myrtle Beach, which lack extensive snow-removal infrastructure.
Florida & the Deep South: An associated Arctic blast is driving temperatures into the teens across Tennessee and Mississippi. Rare "Gulf-effect" snow flurries have even been monitored as far south as the Tampa Bay area in Florida. US Winter Storm Death Toll: 30 People Dead Due to Severe Winter Storms As More Freezing Cold Pummels America.
Widespread Disruptions and Safety Concerns
The combination of heavy, wet snow and wind gusts reaching 70 mph has led to widespread power outages, particularly in areas still recovering from a separate ice storm last week. As of Sunday morning, over 1,800 flights have been canceled, and major thoroughfares including sections of I-95, I-40, and I-85 are considered impassable in spots due to whiteout conditions. Coastal flooding is a secondary but significant hazard. The storm’s timing coincides with a full moon, which is amplifying high tides. Combined with strong onshore winds, a storm surge of two to four feet is causing moderate to major flooding from the North Carolina coast up through New England.
Looking Ahead: The Arctic Aftermath
The National Weather Service warns that even as the snow tapers off by late Sunday, the danger will persist. An Arctic blast is expected to settle over the eastern United States through the first week of February, causing melted snow to refreeze into "black ice." With subfreezing temperatures predicted to remain 10 to 30 degrees below average, officials are emphasizing the risk of hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning for those using alternative heating sources during power outages.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 01, 2026 06:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).