According to weather forecasters, an "explosive cyclogenesis", or bomb cyclone, is currently developing in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Weather charts show the huge storm growing in size as it swirls and makes its way across the ocean.
The cyclone is swirling at an atmospheric pressure of 58 hectopascals (hPa) in 24 hours, which is well above the threshold for ‘bombogenesis’.
Bombogenesis is a term used to describe powerful low-pressure systems that intensify rapidly, with the process beginning as cyclogenesis. It is also known as a bomb cyclone or a weather bomb. Central pressure falls 24 millibars in just 24 hours.
The change in pressure needed to classify something as explosive cyclogenesis depends on latitude. The phenomenon usually indicates a low-pressure system strengthening into a powerful storm.
Severe Weather Europe posted the footage on Twitter and wrote: “Explosive cyclogenesis in the NW Pacific Ocean as an extratropical cyclone explosively deepens.“58 hPa in 24h, well above the threshold for ‘bombogenesis’ (24 hPa/24h).”
Bombogenesis is a common occurrence in the North Atlantic, with AccuWeather stating: “The western North Atlantic is one favoured area for storms to undergo bombogenesis.
This is a region where cold air from North America collides with warm air over the Atlantic Ocean. Warm waters of the Gulf Stream may also provide a boost in a festering storm.
According to America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), bombogenesis occurs when a “cold air mass collides with warm air mass.
The Met Office says weather bombs are created when the jet stream pulls air out of the system, reducing its weight and forcing the pressure to fall at ground level.
There are strong indicators that a major swell is on its way for the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, diminishing and reaching the West coast early next week. Waves of 50 to 55 feet have also been confirmed approximately 1800 miles from Hawaii.
