Storm Could Rapidly Strengthen Off New England, Bringing Strong Winds

A storm crossing the Northeast on Friday could rapidly strengthen once it moves off the New England coast. It is expected to bring strong winds, dangerous seas and the coldest air of the season so far. The storm will also end a stretch of record-setting fall warmth across the central and eastern U.S.

Storm Could “Bomb Out” Off the Coast Friday Night Into Saturday

The storm will form along a strong cold front and move from the Great Lakes across the Northeast on Friday, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). Widespread rain is likely Friday into early Saturday. The National Weather Service office in Boston expects about a quarter inch to just over a half inch of rain in southern New England, with some spots near an inch.

When the storm moves over the open Atlantic Friday night, some computer models show its pressure dropping into the 970s or even the 960s, according to the FOX Forecast Center. That would make it a “bomb cyclone.” That term describes a storm whose pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours, a sign it is strengthening rapidly.