**Bomb Cyclone to Bring Severe Weather to Pacific Northwest and Northern California**

A formidable storm, known as a "bomb cyclone," is forecasted to strike northwestern states and the Pacific coast imminently, introducing hazardous conditions, according to meteorologists. The National Weather Service (NWS) has projected that a low-pressure system emerging from the Pacific will result in "significant high wind impacts and heavy mountain snow" across Washington state, Oregon, and Idaho.

Further exacerbating the situation, a powerful atmospheric river storm is expected to impact northern California by Wednesday. This weather event is anticipated to cause substantial rainfall and flooding along the northwest coast from late Tuesday, continuing through the rest of the week. The NWS highlights that the most intense phase of the storm will occur between Wednesday and Friday, with certain areas along the northern California coast projected to receive 10-15 inches of rain within 48 hours.

The heavy and continuous rainfall will elevate the risk of numerous floods and potential mudslides, exacerbated by rising snow levels. Mountain regions in the northwest can expect heavy and wet snow accumulation at 2-3 inches per hour on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially totaling several feet at higher elevations. This will be compounded by 65-mph wind gusts creating whiteout conditions, making travel nearly impossible, particularly at pass levels in the Cascades and across northern California.

Wind gusts exceeding 60 mph are expected to cause downed trees, power outages, and a "potentially damaging" high surf impacting the coastline. Consequently, blizzard and high wind warnings are in place for parts of Washington, including the Seattle area.

The phenomenon referred to as “bombogenesis” involves a midlatitude cyclone that intensifies rapidly within 24 hours, with atmospheric pressure dropping by at least 24 millibars. This event occurs due to the convergence of cold and warm air masses. The pressure in the storm currently affecting the Pacific Northwest is anticipated to continue its descent significantly. Brian Hurley, senior meteorologist at the NWS Weather Prediction Center, reported that the system's pressure was at 981 millibars Tuesday morning and could drop to 946 millibars by evening—a decrease of 35 millibars in just 12 hours.

The NWS Seattle office has urged residents to prepare for the strong winds, check emergency kits, secure shutters, trim trees, and stay in interior rooms away from windows. Oregon's State Fire Marshal advised residents to charge electronic devices, use flashlights instead of candles during power outages, and avoid using generators indoors. Meanwhile, California's emergency services office has encouraged residents to create emergency plans and sign up for alerts to ensure safety during the storm.