Powerful 'Bomb Cyclone' Threatens NYC With Up to 1 Foot of Snow

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Meteorologists are warning that a powerful 'bomb cyclone' could slam New York City this weekend, potentially dumping up to a foot of snow on the city. The storm system is expected to strengthen near the coastline and track northward, which could lead to a major snow event for the Big Apple on Sunday evening. Forecasters say the worst-case scenario could bring 6-12 inches of snow, potentially rivaling the storm that hit the city in late January.

Why it matters

A major winter storm of this magnitude would disrupt transportation, close schools and businesses, and create hazardous conditions for residents across the New York City metro area. The city is still recovering from the previous snowstorm that left mounds of dirty, trash-filled snow, so another significant snowfall would add to the cleanup challenges.

The details

According to AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva, the 'more likely' scenario is that the storm 'bombs out' - meaning the pressure system drops and intensifies - further south or east, which would result in the city receiving 'just a couple of inches' of snow. However, DaSilva said a worst-case scenario could see NYC get 6-12 inches of snow, which would be comparable to the 11.4 inches that fell in Central Park during the late January storm. The potential bomb cyclone could also bring winds of up to 40 mph to the area.

• The storm is expected to hit the New York City area on Sunday evening.
• Forecasters will likely be able to provide more specific predictions by Thursday.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Forecasters will continue to monitor the storm system and provide more detailed predictions in the coming days.