We Need To Talk About This Whole ‘Bomb Cyclone’ Thing

Winter Storm Grayson is alive and well. For the first time in FOREVER, Florida actually had a Winter Storm Watch. It’s snowing in Tallahassee!

It's snowing in the Sunshine State. Here's a look at Tallahassee, Florida:

(Video: Tallahassee Police) pic.twitter.com/PFL8st0qbN

— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 3, 2018

SNOW IN FLORIDA! Check out this incredible video from Tallahassee just a few minutes ago, showing the snow coming down! ❄❄❄

(Video courtesy: Matt Schnippert @altotus) pic.twitter.com/IHK8p4EyKi

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) January 3, 2018

Also, sharks are freezing, but that’s in Mass.

It's so cold in Massachusetts that sharks are freezing to death: https://t.co/zo9Xx3Xqb4 pic.twitter.com/MP57krQrr7

— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 2, 2018

I’m not in Florida right now, so I can’t report ~live~ (I don’t think there’s any sign of snow in my area anyway). I’m still in New England. I was SUPPOSED to be on the road traveling back to Florida today, but there’s a BOMB CYCLONE hitting New England Thursday, and the bad weather is already barreling down the East Coast. Not the best driving conditions, so I’m waiting it out with the fam.

I’ll be here for the bomb cyclone. That’s right. That’s what they’re calling it.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, bombogenesis or bomb cyclone “occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours. A millibar measures atmospheric pressure.”

“This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters. The formation of this rapidly strengthening weather system is a process called bombogenesis, which creates what is known as a bomb cyclone,” NOAA said.

Nor'easter "bomb" will be MASSIVE — circulation will expand across 50 degrees of longitude, from Iowa into central Atlantic.
This 850 mb wind speed map is a classic, apex intensity "extratropical" cyclone maturing into a "warm-seclusion" or "occluded" storm … #SoMuchJargon pic.twitter.com/6kZEUIIbvW

— Ryan Maue | weather.us (@RyanMaue) January 2, 2018

Arctic air mass will remain entrenched over the eastern two thirds of the country through the end of the week. Very cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills expected.

— NWS (@NWS) January 3, 2018

Major east coast winter storm is expected to bring snow, ice, rain, strong winds, and tidal flooding to coastal locations from the southeast U.S. to New England Wednesday into Thursday. Hazardous travel is likely.

— NWS (@NWS) January 3, 2018

People are legit freaking out. I’m used to hurricanes and know what to expect with that kind of storm, but I’m NOT a native New Englander. I have no idea what to expect. I’ve been through casual snowstorms, but the weather people are telling us to prepare for blizzard conditions. I’VE NEVER BEEN THROUGH A BLIZZARD! We’re expecting up to a foot of snow and wind gusts up to 40 mph. So….WTH? What should I do? I mean, my dad’s here and he’s a pro, but like, should I go to the store and buy all the food on the shelves? Should I buy more heated blankets? Do I make 4 gallons of hot cocoa? I JUST DON’T KNOW.

Y'all remember when the plot to #TheDayAfterTomorrow was far-fetched? #BombCyclone #PolarVortex pic.twitter.com/a206Eo2rfq

— Pietro Paparella (@PietroPaparella) January 2, 2018

Bomb cyclone ahead of Polar Vortex ahead of…START PLANNING! Seriously. Do it! https://t.co/C5kes5FjUH #BombCyclone

— Randi Rhodes (@RandiRhodes) January 3, 2018

Real talk though: how does one prepare for a #BombCyclone?? Do I burrow in my basement?? Do I buy everything from the grocery and liquor stores?? Lmk plz

— Mara (@schwartzbwitchu) January 3, 2018

If I've learned anything from #GoT, it's that "Ice Hurricane" would be a better, more terrifying name#BombCyclone #IceHurricane #WinterIsHere https://t.co/vsVwu2EsrY

— Seth Sheldon (@sheldondata) January 3, 2018

I am no meteorologist but the term #BombCyclone can’t be good,right? #getyourbreadandmilk #noschool #startplanningnow #newenglandwinter https://t.co/LjKWYCg7p5

— Jay Midwood (@JayMidwood) January 3, 2018

Winter Storm #Grayson will act as a heat bomb in the atmosphere in response to all the deep convection associated with the cyclone. Watch how this coastal cyclone accelerates the upper-level irrotational wind field, building the downstream jetstreak. #Science is awesome. pic.twitter.com/6V45hgw3d8

— Michael Ventrice (@MJVentrice) January 3, 2018

Now that #BombCyclone is the latest #ColdWeather buzzword, there is an update to the queue:

Previous: Polar Vortex
Current: Bomb Cyclone
Up Next: Tactical Nuclear Freeznado
In 2019: Supermassive Black-ice Deathnova

#PolarVortex #coldweather #Coldwave #WinterStorm

— Pazer Lenis (@PazerLenis) January 3, 2018

I’m just being honest here. I have no idea if people are overreacting. I’m the person who still gets butterflies of excitement when I see snow flurries. So…I DON’T KNOW. There was a storm last week and I sanded my driveway for the first time and felt pretty proud of myself, but this sounds like a whole other ball game.

Will YOU be affected by the BOMB CYCLONE?