The worst effects of Bomb cyclone are expected to come with strong winds, snow and heavy rain.
The storm’s devastation is already leaving severe damage in the northern part of the state and the worst of the storms is expected in Southern California between Wednesday and Thursday.
In Oakland, a massive sinkhole closed a zoo, all due to intense storms recorded during New Year’s weekend.
In Sacramento County, families were rescued on boats by their neighbors after they were trapped in their homes by severe flooding.
In Southern California, residents affected by the fires are taking precautions for possible landslides that could cause serious damage. For example, a yellow alert has already been declared in the city of Duarte due to the storm and authorities have prohibited car parking on some streets.
After seeing the effects of these torrential rains, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency the Wednesday before the winter storm hit the state.
Heavy rain over the weekend caused the Cosumnes River to rise. Many drivers had to leave their vehicles on the road.
With this proclamation, California will be able to quickly respond to storm surge disasters, thus supporting local communities.
California Emergency Office officials assure that this storm is one of the most powerful storms recorded in the state in the last 5 years.
Telemundo52 meteorologist Alondra Anaya said that from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, the rain will intensify, accompanied by strong winds and lightning in some areas.
What is bomb cyclone?
The word chilling has spread through social networks like foam and although it has a strong connotation, the term is scientific and according to Telemundo meteorologists, when the surface pressure found in the center of a storm drops significantly.
“To be classified as a bomb cyclone, it has to drop in pressure to at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. A simple explanation is that the system intensifies very quickly,” Anaya said.
Meteorologists have used the term “bomb cyclone” for at least 50 years.
They are not rare events, as there are an average of about 40 events each year in the Northern Hemisphere. As is the case with any weather phenomenon, the number of bomb cyclones varies from year to year.
The recent storm that hit the east coast was a bomb cyclone. Also known as Northeast, a mid-latitude cyclone affecting the northeastern United States and far eastern Canada.
What is an atmospheric river?
According to Alondra, what we are experiencing in California is also associated with an atmospheric river.
“An atmospheric river is a long band of water vapor coming from the tropics. When that band of moisture reaches land, intense rain and strong winds blow.
There are a variety of atmospheric rivers that include moderate rain or snow that contribute to the formation of snow caps in mountains.
However, they can also cause significant destruction and damage depending on the wind and the amount of water that falls in a short period of time.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “atmospheric rivers can cause extreme rainfall and flooding capable of inundating and disrupting travel, including landslides, and can cause catastrophic damage to life and property.”
Heavy rain is coming and the important thing is to be very careful while driving and be aware of your surroundings for any emergency. The authorities have also warned that if you do not have to go out, it is better to stay at home.
tips for drivers
The Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) offers the following tips for driving in rainy or snowy conditions.
- Make sure your headlights are on. Keeping your headlights on every time you drive will increase your visibility in all conditions.
- Slow down and allow enough stopping space, making sure there is at least three times more space than normal between you and the vehicle in front.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding.
- Do not use vehicle speed control (cruise control) on wet, snowy, or icy roads.
- Be aware of potentially icy roads, especially along bridges and overpasses, which tend to freeze before the roads do.
- Be careful on low-traffic roads, which may not be cleaned as often as other roads.
