A powerful winter storm brewing near the Pacific Northwest known as a bomb cyclone is dragging an atmospheric river.

Bomb cyclone is a term used by weather enthusiasts to describe a process that meteorologists usually call bombogenesis. It's the rapid intensification of a cyclone in a short period of time, and it can happen during powerful storms such as the one northern California and the Pacific Northwest are preparing for this week.

The forecast headlines tonight include strong winds, widespread rain, and heavy mountain snow in the Cascades starting Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday. With scattered showers this evening and chilly temperatures this afternoon,