Crazy Satellite Video Shows Bomb Cyclone Churn Off East Coast

How many times in the last 24 hours have you heard the term bomb cyclone?

The powerful winter storm that has blanketed the East Coast is being referred to by this somewhat terrifying term. But what exactly is it? And what does it look like?

To answer the first question:

A "bomb cyclone" can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters, according to the National Weather Service. "All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning," AccuWeather says. "In this case, bomb refers to explosive development. Altogether the term means explosive storm strengthening."

Now onto the second question:

The National Weather Service shared the following high resolution infrared satellite imagery showing "explosive cyclogenesis/rapid intensification" (AKA bomb cyclone).

Wow.

PHOTO: NWS