California and Pacific Northwest Hit with “Bomb Cyclone”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – California and the Pacific Northwest are facing severe weather, power outages, and falling trees amid a “bomb cyclone” which began to bear down on the region on Tuesday and is expected to last until Friday, the Associated Press reports.

A “bomb cyclone” is a rapidly intensifying storm system in which the central pressure drops by at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. Such cyclones can bring strong winds, heavy precipitation (rain or snow), and coastal flooding.

The National Weather Service has warned that severe rainfall is likely to affect areas from the south of Portland, Oregon, to the north of the San Francisco area in California, AP reports.

Hurricane-force winds above 75 mph (121 kph) were recorded along the Oregon coast, while Seattle, Washington saw conditions for a “mountain wave,” an atmospheric wind phenomenon that can have serious effects on the weather, aviation, and the environment,” AP reports.

“Be aware of the risk of flash flooding at lower elevations and winter storms at higher elevations. This is going to be an impactful event,” meteorologist Richard Bann said in a statement quoted by AP.

“Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches max intensity” on Wednesday, the Weather Prediction Center warned.

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