Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Winter offers some time to reflect on cars and bombogenesis
a delivery so cool that even spell check disallows it as fast as one can spell pompatus, as in the Steve Miller Band’s loving “The Joker” reference.
AccuWeather’s Roberti offered this.
You may have heard or read about a storm undergoing “bombogenesis.” What exactly does that weather term mean?
In simple terms, bombogenesis is a storm that undergoes rapid strengthening. The vast majority of such storms occur over the ocean. The storm can be tropical or non-tropical in nature.
Other common phrases for bombogenesis include weather bomb, or simply bomb.
The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning. In this case, bomb refers to explosive development. Altogether the term means explosive storm strengthening.
Storms that undergo bombogenesis are among the most violent weather systems that affect a broad area. This is because the rapidly ascending air near the center of the storm must be replaced by air surrounding the storm. As these winds move toward the center of the storm at high speed, property damage can occur, trees may fall and the power may go out.
The western North Atlantic is one favored area for storms to undergo bombogenesis. This is a region where cold air from North America collides with warm air over the Atlantic Ocean. Warm waters of the Gulf Stream may also provide a boost in a festering storm.
As a result, some, but not all nor’easters may undergo bombogenesis.
The intense winds often create massive seas and may cause significant beach erosion.
In terms of precipitation, very heavy rain and/or snow may fall in the path of the storm undergoing bombogenesis.
Thanks, Justin. You da bomb (ogenesis). --------------A Trentonian reader delivered insights about a December stolen SUV crash that killed three teens, including a pregnant 16-year-old.
The owner of the vehicle allegedly left his car idling during a pitstop at Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong Burlington County.
It’s an unwise decision made by many drivers who fail to consider consequences of negligence.
Yes, the SUV owner attracts criticism for a misguided decision but at the end of the day, responsibility falls on those involved in the theft.
Still, it’s a lesson on prevention.
City of Trenton police have posted valuable information regarding idling cars on cold days.
“It’s days like this that are the most tempting to go start your car and run back inside while waiting for the interior to warm before driving anywhere. Not only does it waste gas, it’s the leading contributing factor to cars stolen in the City of Trenton, and is against New Jersey law.
Leaving your vehicle running while unattended is begging to have your vehicle stolen.
Did you know that allowing your car to sit there and idle does nothing to prepare your vehicle for the impending journey?
The vast majority of cars on the road today use electronic fuel injection. When your car’s engine is cold, the computer tells the fuel injectors to stay open longer, allowing more fuel into the engine to help it run cold. As the engine warms up, the injectors let in less fuel and everything returns to normal.
Police noted better options for your car on a cold day is to start it, let it run for 30 to 60 seconds (to get all the fluids moving) and start driving “gently”. This will get our engine to “warm up” faster, get your heater heating faster, and use less gas. (Although they do say to give your car a few extra minutes of warm up time in subzero temperatures.)”
Guess what else. Police have the right to take your car keys should they find your car idling unattended.
Imagine that Monday morning. Everything’s cool because your NFL team won. Your boss is on vacation and you head out of the convenience store holding a freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon bun only to meet Officer Friendly or your car is gone.
Yeah, it will not happen to you until it does.
Be smart.