KEY POINTS
- A powerful bomb cyclone, unofficially named Winter Storm Gianna, delivered the heaviest snowfall in decades to parts of the Carolinas.
- The storm underwent rapid intensification off the Atlantic coast, with pressure dropping over 35 millibars in just 24 hours.
- Extreme conditions caused over 2,000 flight cancellations and left nearly 190,000 residents without power across the Southeast.
A historic winter storm known as a bomb cyclone has brought life-threatening conditions to the Southeastern United States. The system, which meteorologists monitored as it rapidly intensified off the coast, shattered snowfall records in several major cities. Charlotte, North Carolina, recorded roughly a foot of snow, marking one of its highest single-day totals in nearly 150 years. This rare event transformed the region’s landscape into a dangerous wintry expanse within a matter of hours.
The storm’s rapid development qualified it as a “bomb cyclone” due to the explosive drop in atmospheric pressure. As the system strengthened, it lashed coastal areas with hurricane-force wind gusts exceeding 70 mph. These winds created blizzard conditions, reducing visibility to near zero and making travel impossible on major interstates. Authorities reported hundreds of vehicle accidents across the Carolinas as drivers struggled with the sudden onset of heavy snow and black ice.
Infrastructure across the Southeast faced significant strain as the storm moved through the region. Utility companies reported widespread power outages affecting roughly 190,000 homes and businesses at the peak of the event. The weight of heavy, wet snow combined with high winds brought down trees and power lines in numerous communities. Many residents were forced to seek heat in emergency warming centers as temperatures plummeted following the storm’s passage.
Transportation networks suffered near-total shutdowns in the most affected zones. Airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights on Saturday alone, with Charlotte Douglas International Airport bearing the brunt of the disruptions. Ground travel was equally perilous, with state highway patrols responding to over 1,000 collisions in North Carolina. Governors in several states declared emergencies to mobilize National Guard troops for rescue and supply missions.
The storm also introduced unusual weather phenomena to the deep South. Rare snow flurries were reported as far south as Florida, where temperatures dropped below freezing in parts of the panhandle. Coastal communities braced for significant flooding and beach erosion driven by high tides and onshore winds. This “bomb” event served as a stark reminder of the increasing volatility of winter weather patterns along the East Coast.
