Though that type of weather system doesn’t often develop near Washington, the last one that impacted the Pacific Northwest was earlier this year in January. Bomb cyclones are weather systems that form when the storm’s central pressure drops more than 24 millibars in 24 hours.

A potent storm system called a "bomb cyclone" will trigger powerfully windy weather for communities east of Seattle by Tuesday evening. It will create rare blizzard conditions for the Cascade passes.

Sailors should remain in port, alter their course or secure their vessels for severe conditions, according to the National Weather Service.