The United States is on high alert as a powerful bomb cyclone, combined with a potent atmospheric river, is poised to unleash extreme weather across the west coast this week.

An intense mid-latitude cyclone taking aim at the West Coast of the United States this week, ushering a strong atmospheric river into Oregon and California. This low-pressure system is going through bombogenesis,

Bomb cyclone is a term given to a rapidly strengthening storm that fulfills one important criterion. Generally, pressure must drop 24 millibars (a unit of pressure) within 24 hours.

A formidable 'bomb cyclone' driven by a powerful Category 5 atmospheric river is predicted to hit the West Coast of the United State..|News Track

A powerful winter storm brewing near the Pacific Northwest known as a bomb cyclone is dragging an atmospheric river.

Over a month’s worth of rain, hurricane-force wind gusts and feet of mountain snow are coming to parts of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California.

Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are bracing for what is expected to be the strongest storm of the season so far

As an atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy rain and mountain snow to California, many are turning to Google to search the term "bomb cyclone." But what is that? In short, it's a rapidly intensifying storm system.

Meanwhile, Southern California this week will see dry conditions amid gusty Santa Ana winds that could raise the risk of wildfires in areas where crews are still mopping up a major blaze that destroyed 240 structures.