UAE Consulate warns Emiratis of US ‘weather bomb’

Dubai: The UAE Consulate in Boston has issued a warning to residents living or travelling to the US, urging them to follow safety precautions as freezing sub-temperatures are set to hit the East Coast.

In the event of an emergency, citizens can contact local police authorities at 911 or the consulate’s number at +1 202 431 5530.

The alert follows the National Weather Service (NWS) warning that "arctic air mass will remain entrenched over the eastern two thirds of the country through the end of the week".

"Very cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills expected," said the NWS.

Emiratis in the East Coast were also advised to keep up-to-date on the snow storm, and to register for the online “My Presence” service, found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation.

According to AccuWeather, a storm warning was issued to New York City, while a blizzard warning was alerted in parts of Long Island and coastal New Jersey, as a major winter storm moves up the east coast.

In Suffolk County on Long Island and along parts of the Jersey Shore, blizzard conditions are expected with heavy snowfall in the morning, followed by strong winds up to 88 km/h.

The level of snow is also expected to reach 22-30cm.

A "bomb cyclone" or "weather bomb" is an unofficial term for what is known as explosive cyclogenesis, according to BBC Weather.

This occurs when the central pressure of a low pressure system falls by 24 millibars in 24 hours and can result in violent winds developing around the system.

The winds can be strong enough to bring down trees and cause structural damage.

Source: BBC Weather