Atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone bring chaotic winter weather to East Coast

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The East Coast is experiencing the early stages of what could be a whiplash-inducing stretch of winter weather. That’s due in part to an atmospheric river and developing bomb cyclone. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and fierce winds to many areas until Wednesday night, and flooding is possible in some locales. Utilities are also gearing up for potential power outages from damage caused by winds that may exceed 60 mph in some areas. Forecasters say one of the key factors driving the weather is an atmospheric river, which is a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern areas.