"An intense surge of arctic air behind the coastal storm is bringing below freezing temperatures and wind chills," the WPC said.

Meteorologist Robert Speta defines what a "bomb cyclone" is and what effect it has on the First Coast. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A powerful winter storm expected this weekend could be classified as a bomb cyclone, which is a technical meteorological term.

Arctic air and a rapidly intensifying storm will bring significant snow, blizzard conditions, and dangerous subzero wind chills this weekend.

A huge swath of the U.S. from the Gulf Coast into New England was mired in extra-cold temperatures Sunday after a bomb cyclone brought heavy snow and hundreds of flight cancellations to North Carolina, flurries and falling iguanas in Florida, and more misery for thousands who are still without power from last weekend’s ice storm in the South.

A bomb cyclone is barreling towards 12 U.S. cities brining snow, and frigid temps to a band of southeastern states

A rapidly intensifying winter storm is poised to explode into a classic bomb cyclone along the East Coast, with forecasters warning of “insane” snow totals, blizzard conditions and dangerous cold from the Deep South to New England.