Weather

'Bomb Cyclone' Causes Major Power Outages In New England

Bomb cyclones are rapidly strengthening storms with a specific drop in barometric pressure within 24 hours.

'Bomb Cyclone' Causes Major Power Outages In New England
CNN
Article by LeeAnne Lowry
SMS
October 18, 2019

Powerful winds have caused major power outages in New England, and some areas might be without electricity for several days.

Winds nearing 100 mph downed trees Thursday night, which took out power lines throughout the region. More than 600,000 homes and businesses from New York to Maine lost power. 

According to CNN, the storm over southern New England had pressure equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

This type of storm is known as a "bomb cyclone." It's a weather term that refers to a rapidly strengthening storm with a specific drop in barometric pressure within 24 hours. In this storm, some areas experienced that steep drop in around 12 hours. 

Hundreds of flights have been canceled at the area's airports, with more expected through late Friday.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.