What Is Bombogenesis?

Bombogenesis.

The word sounds ominous, but in reality, the process happens fairly frequently in the world of weather.

"'Bombogenesis' follows from "cyclogenesis," which refers to the development of a cyclone (which, in turn, is usually synonymous with a low pressure system, or low)," writes senior meteorologist Stu Ostro. "Bombs are so-named because of the rapidity with which they develop, which evokes explosiveness, and the power that they usually attain once they have gone through the intensification phase specified in the definition (a central pressure drop of at least 24 millibars in 24 hours)."

So what happens when a meteorological "bomb" strengthens?

Wind speeds increase and precipitation can become more intense, often creating heavy snowfall and potential blizzard conditions during winter storms. This happened in February 2014, when Winter Storm Quintus dropped 31 millibars within a span of 24 hours. Heavy snow rates can also occur during bombogenesis, which is sometimes accompanied by lightning.

Tropical cyclones can also undergo rapid intensification, which is a particularly unnerving development especially when it occurs near landfall. An example of a tropical cyclone undergoing bombogenesis is Hurricane Charley in 2004.

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Link: http://www.wunderground.com/news/what-bombogenesis-weather-bomb-20140321