Bomb Cyclone

Global warming and climatic change are forcing weather experts to concoct new terms. The latest addition in this list is what is known as a ‘bomb cyclone’ that unleashed 97 mph wind gusts in Colorado Springs, bringing in its wake blizzards and even a flood threat – an unlikely occurrence, given the city’s climate.

So what exactly is a bomb cyclone? CNN sources report that the phenomenon occurs when there is a bombogenesis – a rapid drop in pressure of not less than 24 millibars within a 24 hour timeframe. In the case of Colorado Springs, the pressure fell by more than 30 millibars, and still continues its downward descent.

Local citizens witnessed power outages. Nearly 70,000 people in Texas had no electricity. Almost ten inches of snow were registered in the city of Boulder at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The bomb cyclone forced people to stay off the roads owing to 50 mph strong wind gusts. The Denver International airport saw more than a hundred flight cancellations due to inclement weather. The eastern plains are on high alert for heavy floods.

The storm has traversed roughly 1.5 million miles, which is close to 50 percent of the area of continental United States. Highways have been closed in many places as winds of nearly 110 mph are expected!

Is your business prepared to deal with bomb cyclones? Does your company have a business continuity plan to respond to such a hazard? Have you reached out to all your business associates? Have you alerted your friends, family members and colleagues?