Wednesday, December 15, 2021
The East Coast is due for a whiplash-inducing rainy, windy and potentially dangerous stretch of weather.
The storm affecting Maine is characterized by several significant weather phenomena, including an atmospheric river and a potential bomb cyclone, as reported by the Associated Press.
The storm is driven in part by an atmospheric river, which is a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern areas. This atmospheric river has the ability to tap moisture from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the U.S. Southeast and transport it to places like Maine, leading to a "multifaceted storm".
Forecasters have also indicated the potential for bombogenesis, or a "bomb cyclone," which is the rapid intensification of a cyclone in a short period of time. This process can bring severe rainfall and exacerbate the already chaotic weather conditions.
Places like western Maine are expected to experience a wide range of severe weather conditions, including:
The heavy rain and fierce winds are expected to last until Wednesday night, with potential for flooding in some areas. Utilities are preparing for possible power outages due to wind damage. Additionally, there is a risk of slick travel due to freezing rain and potential for flash flooding as temperatures rise into the 50s.
In preparation for the storm, some schools in Maine operated on a delay on Tuesday, and a flood watch has been issued for Vermont from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. The city of Montpelier, Vermont, is advising residents to prepare for mild flooding and to elevate items in basements and low areas prone to flooding.
Atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones are two distinct meteorological phenomena that can impact the East Coast of the United States, but they occur with different frequencies.
Atmospheric rivers are not as common on the East Coast as they are on the West Coast. However, they can occur several times a year, particularly during the winter months.
These are long, narrow bands of moisture in the atmosphere that transport water vapor from the tropics. When they make landfall, they can lead to heavy rainfall and flooding.
Bomb cyclones, or explosive cyclogenesis, can occur about 2 to 3 times a year on the East Coast, mainly during the winter months. They tend to happen during the transition seasons of fall and spring as well.
A bomb cyclone is characterized by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure, usually 24 millibars or more in 24 hours, leading to intense storms and severe weather, including heavy snow, rain, and strong winds.
These events are influenced by various climatic factors and can vary year by year.
To prepare for an event like the atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone described in the article, consider the following steps:
By taking these proactive steps, you can better safeguard yourself and your family against the impacts of severe weather events.
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