As you’re reading this, a powerful low is rapidly deepening in the North Atlantic. Over the next 24 hours, the pressure will drop between 25 and 30 hPa.
That pressure drop fulfils the criteria for bombogenesis, otherwise known as a “bomb cyclone.” But, the storm track is everything and this will instead go down as a near-miss.
DON’T MISS: Canada records its first -30°C temperature of the season, but this is late
Prepare for potential power outages and tree damage. Some cities could see their strongest wind gusts since the beginning of the year.
Make sure your devices are properly charged.
This weekend:
As the pressure drops offshore, gusty northerly winds will increase across exposed coastal sections of Atlantic Canada, peaking at 80 km/h on Saturday afternoon across the Maritimes.
The low-pressure system will make its closest approach to Newfoundland on Sunday, so these winds will naturally be stronger.
The northern Avalon Peninsula, including St. John’s and Bonavista, are at risk of wind gusts approaching 100 km/h with this low by early Sunday afternoon.
Peak winds for Newfoundland are forecast for late Sunday morning into the early afternoon. Wave heights offshore are forecast to reach a significant wave height of nine metres just off the coast of the Avalon. A significant wave height is the average of the one-third of largest waves. Some waves can be twice as high as that metric.
St. John’s, N.L.: When was the last time we say a wind gust over…?
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90 km/h: March 12, 2024 – 93 km/h
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100 km/h: Jan. 19, 2024 – 102 km/h
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120 km/h: Feb. 18, 2022 – 120 km/h
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140 km/h – Sept. 10, 2021 – 145 km/h (Hurricane Larry)
For a storm to qualify as a bomb cyclone, the central pressure must fall a minimum of 24 hPa within 24 hours. Ideal conditions include sharp temperature gradients in the atmosphere, and favourable jet stream winds in the fall and winter months. A deeper, low-pressure system increases pressure gradients, meaning hurricane-force wind gusts become increasingly likely.
Needless to say, bomb cyclone or not, power outages and tree damage are possible. Ensure all devices are properly charged.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Atlantic Canada.