A powerful winter storm, dubbed a bomb cyclone, is set to hit the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. It’s expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding within the next day.
This storm will start affecting areas late Friday and into Saturday. States like North Carolina and Virginia could experience blizzard conditions by Saturday night due to harmful wind gusts. New England, especially eastern Massachusetts, may see snow if the storm shifts closer to the coast.
What’s causing this aggressive weather? The storm will form near North Carolina and rapidly strengthen due to a process called bombogenesis. It will pull in cold air, bringing unusual snowfall to places that usually don’t see much winter weather.
Currently, over 27 million people from northern Georgia up to Kentucky are under winter storm warnings. Many are still dealing with the aftermath of a previous storm that caused power outages and travel issues.
Transportation departments in affected states are preparing roads, and airlines anticipate more cancellations.
Areas like the southern Appalachians, Georgia, and parts of South Carolina can expect significant snow late Friday. Projections suggest central and eastern North Carolina and parts of South Carolina might see 5 to 10 inches of snow, with local totals possibly higher if snow bands intensify.
Columbia, South Carolina, is on track to experience its heaviest snowfall since 2010, potentially exceeding previous totals. Similarly, Raleigh, North Carolina, needs only 2.7 inches to break its December 2018 record, but forecasts indicate it could receive almost double that.
In Wilmington, North Carolina, locals are hopeful as they might see substantial snowfall for the first time in over eight years. A state of emergency has already been declared in Georgia to facilitate resource allocation in preparation for the storm.
Even areas like Atlanta, which don’t frequently see snow, could face travel disruptions, with even minor snow accumulation potentially causing chaos.
As the storm strengthens, it will produce dangerous winds, especially near the coast. Gusts could reach up to 75 mph, particularly in North Carolina and Virginia. These intense winds mixed with heavy snowfall could create blizzard-like conditions, making travel treacherous.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns about coastal flooding due to high tides and onshore winds. Areas such as the North Carolina Outer Banks and Virginia Tidewater are among the most vulnerable, facing the risk of flooding and beach erosion.
Interestingly, since 2020, more than two dozen beachfront homes have been lost in the Outer Banks due to rising sea levels and storms. This ongoing coastal erosion underscores the increasing vulnerability of these areas.
New England may also see impacts if the storm’s path shifts closer to shore, with possible flooding and rough marine conditions.
While weather patterns can be unpredictable, experts are closely monitoring this bomb cyclone. A minor shift in its path could alter its effects dramatically. Stay informed through local forecasts for the latest updates.
For further weather-related insights and statistics, you can check NOAA’s official reports and resources.
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