19 Bomb Cyclone Photos That'll Make You Want To Curl Up Under The Covers Forever

The East Coast hunkered down for a massive snow storm this week, as Winter Storm Grayson escalated into a "bomb cyclone" Wednesday night. Coastal New England could see more than a foot of snow and experience record low temperatures. If you weren't already convinced to stay indoors the rest of the week, photos of the "bomb cyclone" will certainly persuade you that it's much safer (and warmer) inside.

First off, you might be wondering what the hell a "bomb cyclone" is. A phenomenon known as "bombogenesis" happens when two drastically different temperatures meet — for example, when a cold air mass hits the much warmer ocean surface. As the Weather Channel's website explains:

To be classified as a weather bomb, or having undergone bombogenesis or "bombing-out," the central pressure of a low pressure system must drop at least 24 millibars within 24 hours.

When Winter Storm Grayson became a "bomb cyclone" Wednesday night, it brought intense winds and snowfall all the way up the East Coast. Forecasters expect Philadelphia to get 3 to 6 inches of snow, 4 to 8 inches in New York City, and in Boston, more than a foot. The storm will be the most intense in New England on Thursday, but freezing temperatures will persist for a few days.

Check out photos of the extreme winter weather bombarding the Northeast to see what the "bomb cyclone" looked like on the ground.

Walking Outside Became A Struggle

A man walking down the street in Ocean City, Maryland, braved the blizzard-like conditions.

And Driving Became A Serious Hazard...

Driving became dangerous as heavy snowfall and wind made roads slick and reduced visibility across the East Coast.

As Evidenced By The Snow-Covered Roads

Officials from New York and New England urged people to stay off the roads Thursday.

Commuting In Any Form Wasn't Easy

Schools and businesses throughout Boston closed on Thursday, but some people still had to commute to work as the blizzard intensified.

New York City Was Coated In White

Snow began piling up outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn early Thursday morning.

Even The Subway Got Snow

Snow made its way underground through street-level grates, coating New York City subway platforms in snow, too.

Snowmen Spruced Up The Bleak Streets...

Snowmen popped up from Maine down to Savannah, Georgia, where this guy's from.

...Along With Leftover Holiday Decorations

Christmas decorations yet to be put away kept the holiday spirit alive throughout the storm.

Snow Plows Went To Work

Snow plows attempted to clear the roads, including this one captured on Main St. in Bellport, New York.

But More Creativity Was Needed To Deal With All The Snow

An Atlantic City, New Jersey, resident used a tennis racket to clean snow off his car.

Businesses That Remained Open Had Endless Snow To Shovel

Keeping sidewalks clear was nearly impossible, as snow continued to fall across New England with no end in sight.

The Washington Monument Was Barely Visible

The Washington Monument was barely visible from afar through the snowy haze Thursday.

Houses Right On The Coast Faced Multiple Threats

The "winter hurricane" brought massive waves crashing into homes in Scituate, Massachusetts, as heavy winds plagued the region.

Elsewhere, Water Turned To Ice

A fountain in New York City's Bryant Park completely froze over.

Nature's Eerie Beauty Shone Through In Some Areas

A Massachusetts seagull blended in with the snowy landscape.

Deserted Parts Of The East Coast Were Fairly Serene

Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts was covered in ice.

Boats Couldn't Go Far...

All modes of travel were affected by the storm, including boats docked in harbors that completely froze over.

...And Other Bodies Of Water Looked Pretty Terrifying

This dock in Port Jefferson, New York, was deserted, and for good reason.

Simply Stepping Outside Required A LOT Of Layers

Anyone with ski gear was able to put it to good use. And layers — lots and lots of layers.

Needless to say, stay warm, folks.