Potential ‘bomb cyclone’: Meteorologist shares details of raging storm that will rock NYC

A major storm with the potential to become a “bomb cyclone” will rock New York City with heavy rain and strong winds through Monday, according to a meteorologist at AccuWeather.

The stormy conditions will begin on Sunday, impacting those traveling just a week before Christmas, according to AccuWeather. Slow travel will likely be due to flooded roads, airline delays, and flight cancellations — while regional power outages are possible.

It could reach the official criteria of a bomb cyclone as it strengthens rapidly into Monday, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather John Feerick told the Advance/SILive.com on Sunday morning.

A bomb cyclone is another way of referring to a storm undergoing “bombogenesis,” as noted by AccuWeather. In other words: explosive storm strengthening. When a storm gathers strength, air rises, and as a result, it creates a vacuum effect that produces lower atmospheric pressure, according to AccuWeather. In order to be dubbed a bomb cyclone, the central barometric pressure within this storm must fall 0.71 of an inch of mercury in 24 hours or less.

“It may not, by the letter of the law actually reach that level,” said Feerick. “It’s going to be kind of close. But regardless, it’s going to be a very powerful storm for sure that’s going to impact the area tonight and tomorrow morning.”

The worst conditions due to rain, flooding, and powerful winds in New York City will occur during Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. There will be a bit of rain and drizzle on Sunday afternoon, but conditions will ramp up this evening with heavy rain, said Feerick.

The National Weather Service announced a coastal flood watch, aerial flood watch, and wind advisory for Staten Island in effect from Sunday into Monday.

Due to the raging storm, the Monday morning commute in New York City may be slow and difficult.

“Probably will start to see some pretty heavy rain move in after nine or 10 o’clock probably, and then we’ll see the heaviest rain from late tonight — probably like maybe 2 a.m. to 7 or 8 a.m. is probably when we’ll see the heaviest rain,” said Ferrick. “So unfortunately, you know that could have a big impact on the morning commute tomorrow.”

Feerick suggested that for those with the option to work remotely from home should plan to do so. If you must go into work Monday morning, plan accordingly, and leave earlier than normal to compensate for stormy conditions and traffic.

Storm drains will be overwhelmed with the rate of rain, which can fall at the rate of 0.5 of an inch per hour or greater. It can result in a heightened risk of street and highway flooding. According to Feerick, some areas in New York City will see about 2-3 inches of rain by the end of the storm.

And the combination of heavy rain and a surge of water from the Atlantic Ocean will lead to moderate flooding in coastal beach communities. Beach erosion will also occur, and some damage to dunes and other beach structures is possible, according to AccuWeather.Quick rises and flooding are likely to occur on small streams from Sunday night into Monday — with some rivers in New York also experiencing minor to moderate flooding from Monday to Tuesday as runoff slowly advances.

The wind shift on Monday could lead to additional power outages as trees sway in the saturated soil and large waterlogged tree limbs break, according to AccuWeather.

Feerick explained that wind gusts will be strongest along the coast with the worst of the winds late Sunday night. Gusts could reach up to 60 miles per hour, with some possibly even higher than that — which may result in some localized damage.

The rain will continue through midday Monday, but low-lying areas could still see some standing water.

“I think in general that the afternoon commute should be a whole lot better. It’s still going to be windy, but it’s not going to be as windy and certainly looks like it’s going to be done raining at that time,” said Feerick.

The high temperature for Sunday will reach about 55 degrees. Monday will see the mercury rise to a high of 59 degrees. Tuesday calls for breezy and cooler temperatures with possible rain or snow showers in some areas. The borough will then have a break from precipitation for several days following the storm — with mostly clear skies through the Christmas holiday.

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