bomb cyclone

noun

plural bomb cyclones

meteorology

: a powerful, rapidly intensifying storm associated with a sudden and significant drop in atmospheric pressure

Tens of thousands of utility workers were working over the weekend after the muscular storm—known as a "bomb cyclone" for its rapid pressure drop—battered neighborhoods from Virginia to Maine.

—Rick Jervis

As incoming air rises around the center of the storm, it gets carried off by the jet stream and that increases the speed of the incoming air. The faster the air moves, the faster the barometric pressure drops. In a really severe nor'easter, the pressure can drop 24 millibars in 24 hours. This is known as a "bomb cyclone."

—Clay Thompson

compare bombogenesis

Examples of bomb cyclone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It is popularly referred to as a bomb cyclone. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

If the decrease in air pressure is severe enough — 24 millibars in 24 hours — bombogenesis takes place and a bomb cyclone results. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Snow forecast this weekend Forecasters are monitoring whether a system may rapidly intensify into a bomb cyclone. —Justin Lewis, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, forecast models are predicting a bomb cyclone off the East Coast this weekend. —Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bomb cyclone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone