A meteorological ‘bomb’ is set to go off along the East Coast, and dangerous cold will soon follow

UPDATE: Jan. 2, 2018, 1 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect new weather forecast guidance.  

An unusually powerful storm is threatening the East Coast of the U.S. this week with heavy snow, high winds, and record-shattering cold not seen in some places since the early 20th Century — if at all. 

The storm will be the result of a combination of three strong pieces of atmospheric energy, known to meteorologists as shortwaves. 

Think of these shortwaves as protein bars for storm formation. This particular storm, which is already beginning to form off the coast of Florida, will devour enough of them to allow it to become so powerful that it will contain hurricane force winds by the time it moves off the Mid-Atlantic coast late Wednesday night.  Read more...