In News: A Bomb Cyclone recently impacted the northern United States, triggering severe winter weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, blizzards and strong winds.
What is a Bomb Cyclone?
- A Bomb Cyclone is an intense mid-latitude storm that forms through a process known as bombogenesis.
- It occurs when a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system develops due to interaction between contrasting air masses.
Key Characteristics
1Rapid Pressure Fall:
oCentral pressure drops by at least 24 millibars within 24 hours.
2Steep Pressure Gradient:
oLeads to very strong winds, often reaching 70–80 kmph or more.
3Severe Weather:
oHeavy snowfall or rain,
oBlizzard conditions,
oCoastal flooding in some regions.
Formation Process (Bombogenesis)
1Occurs when:
oCold, dry air from continental regions collides with
oWarm, moist air over oceans.
2The sharp temperature contrast accelerates the deepening of the low-pressure system.
3Presence of a strong jet stream further intensifies the storm.
Regions of Occurrence
1Most commonly forms in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, especially off the eastern coast of North America.
2Other regions include:
oNorth Pacific,
oSouthern Ocean.
Significance in Climate Context
1While bomb cyclones are natural phenomena, warming oceans may:
oIncrease moisture availability,
oPotentially intensify storms.
Highlights the interaction between atmospheric dynamics and ocean temperatures.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
