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A bombogenesis results in an ‘ammonite-like’ deep extratropical cyclone near Japan today

Remember the quite impressive sight on the satellite last night when we were discussing the perfect example of Rossby waves over the North Pacific? Three cyclones were ongoing at the same time. The westernmost system, located over Japan, was in the rapid intensification phase and has peaked today. It’s satellite presentation is exceptional! Widespread cold advection is ongoing over Japan, resulting in heavy snowfall over the largest Japan islands Honshu.

The system is currently (March 5th, 18 UTC) centered northeast of Japan with a central pressure of 969 mbar. That is 30 mbar change during the past 24 hours – a good example of rapid intensification or bombogenesis. Here are the past surface pressure analysis data since Wednesday afternoon:

  • 969 mbar at 18 UTC, March 5th
  • 970 mbar at 12 UTC, March 5th
  • 987 mbar at 06 UTC, March 5th
  • 993 mbar at 00 UTC, March 5th
  • 999 mbar at 18 UTC, March 4th


Satellite imagery is indeed beyond spectacular. The core of this large cyclone is looking like an ammonite :) Seriously, the rapid intensification process often brings an exceptional cyclonic structure of the extratropical cyclones.



A widespread cold advection is ongoing in the cyclone’s wake across Japan – well-defined cloud streets are visible bringing sea-effect snow over northern Japan. Cloud streets also continue to the south of Japanese main islands.


System is quite large and is now at its peak. As it’s pretty deep, its wind field is also across a broad area and should maintain its strength until it reaches the Aleutian Islands on Saturday. At that time, cyclone’s central pressure will already be about 20 mbar higher than currently.



See also:

*UPDATE* on the most intense North Atlantic storm of the season – an extremely rapid intensification of the ‘bomb cyclone’ #DENNIS is underway!


Colder weather spreads across western and southwestern Europe tomorrow through Saturday


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