The largest nontropical bomb cyclone on record since 1958 struck over the northern Pacific Ocean on New Year’s Eve from 2020 into 2021.

The “bomb cyclone” about to wallop the East Coast has been referred to as a bombogenesis by meteorologists — leaving many scratching their heads. It’s also left Americans still digging themselves out of a foot or more of snowfall from last weekend’s Winter Storm Fern, worrying about being buried by another few inches.

The midweek storm could bring "a quick-hitting bout of snow," an AccuWeather meteorologist said.

A strong winter weather system has the potential to develop into a bomb cyclone off the East Coast later this weekend.

Here’s a breakdown of what a "bomb cyclone" is and what forecasters are saying about the chances of one dumping snow on the state in the coming days.