NJ Weather: 'Bomb Cyclone' Could Hit With Snow, Powerful Winds

You know things are getting serious when you hear the term "bomb cyclone" being thrown around. But it's apparently a real thing that is about to cause some problems for New Jersey and elsewhere along the East Coast.

A major storm that's expected to bring everything from heavy snow and ice to frigid winds on Wednesday night and Thursday could evolve into something called a "bomb cyclone." The storm is expected to affect coastal areas from Florida to Maine and Atlantic Canada, according to AccuWeather.

The first flakes could fall in New Jersey as early as Wednesday night, after 9 p.m. Read more: NJ Weather: Hour-By-Hour Forecast Of 'Bomb Cyclone' Snow In NJ

The "bomb cyclone" is expected to form off the coast of Florida on Wednesday, and winter storm warnings have been issued from Florida all the way to the Jersey Shore. The storm forecast has already led to some school closings and delayed openings. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List - 1/4/18

The storm is projected to undergo rapid strengthening, a process called "bombogenesis." The storm is then expected to evolve into something shaped like, and as powerful as a hurricane, creating what is known as a "bomb cyclone," according to the National Weather Service.

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This "bomb cyclone" can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters, according to the National Weather Service. "All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning," according to AccuWeather. "In this case, bomb refers to explosive development. Altogether the term means explosive storm strengthening."

RELATED: What Is A Bomb Cyclone: Powerful Storm, Polar Vortex Brew

Does it mean New Jersey will get something like Superstorm Sandy? Not likely. The worst of the storm will hover 20 to 50 miles, or more, off the Jersey Shore, although it could hit New England more directly. But it could produce winds throughout New Jersey exceeding 45 mph.

Besides wind that could knock down trees, signs and poles, there could be incredibly poor visibility on the roadways. And after the snow exits, the temperatures will dip into the polar vortex range with some of the coldest air of what has, at just two days old, already been a bone-chilling year.

The Jersey Shore is expected to see 4-6 inches of snow, while the rest of New Jersey could get 1 to 4 inches. A winter weather advisory is also in effect in South Jersey, while a hazardous weather outlook has been issued for the rest of New Jersey.

A winter storm watch is in effect in Monmouth County, while a winter storm warning is in effect along the rest of the Jersey Shore. Read more: Winter Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory In NJ

The snow should end by Thursday night, but it won't be melting anytime soon. The high temperature on Friday will be around 25 degrees. It will be even colder on Saturday with a high near 11. The predicted wind chill temperature at 8 a.m. Saturday: 8 degrees below zero.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 27. Light and variable wind.
• Wednesday night: Snow likely, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Thursday: Snow, mainly before 2pm. Areas of blowing snow after 8am. High near 27. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Thursday night: A slight chance of snow before 2am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -4. West wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 14. West wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Main image: Source: windy.com