An explosive cyclogenesis rapid deepening of an extratropical cyclonic low-pressure area. These dangerous storms also are referred to as bomb cyclones, weather bombs, meteorological bombs, and or a bombogenesis. This photo from 2017 illustrates such a storm developing over the Pacific Ocean. (Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency/Wikipedia Commons)
A windstorm generally needs four factors to mushroom into a "bomb cyclone," or explosive cyclogenesis: Low pressure, strong temperature change, rapid intensification, and plenty of water.
All of these elements came together to a violent degree in late October and November, when Winter Storm Ciarán formed over the central United States before gain speed and strength on its way to Europe, where it caused as much as € 1.3 billion (or roughly $1.39 billion) in damage, according to Verisk's extreme event solutions business unit.
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader
Your access to unlimited PropertyCasualty360 content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
