'Bomb cyclone' sweeps across Pacific Northwest: Could it affect Colorado?

DENVER (KDVR) -- A strong storm swept through the northwest U.S., so far leaving two dead, downed trees and over half a million homes without power. While the storm system is heading across the country, Colorado won't see the same impacts.

What was expected to be one of the strongest storms in the northwest U.S. in decades is being considered a “bomb cyclone,” which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said often occurs during the rapid intensification of a cyclone located between the tropics and the polar regions. Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels defines it as a quickly intensifying low-pressure system that drops 24 millibars or more in 24 hours.

Forecasts throughout the week expected 16 inches of rain and blizzard conditions in Northern California and wind gusts reaching as high as 75 mph in the mountain areas of Sierra Nevada.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, trees have fallen on homes and across roads in Washington, even killing one woman. Meanwhile, more than a dozen schools were closed and there were about 460,000 reported power outages.

While the "bomb cyclone" will make its way throughout the country, the main effects will be on the West Coast.

How the 'bomb cyclone' will affect Colorado

According to Michels, it won't be as strong of a system when it hits Colorado.

Michels said the strong, low-pressure system will weaken as another low-pressure system interacts with it on Thursday and Friday, leading to a less impactful storm for Colorado. While there won't be much of an impact, the system will bring in cooler temperatures when it moves in on Sunday.

Before the system comes into Colorado, the weather will be warm in the mid-60s on Saturday. However, by the time the storm comes in, which Michels said will likely come in by the end of the weekend, the weather will quickly change.

Michels said the system should come into Colorado by Sunday, which could bring 5 to 10 inches of mountain snow and possibly light snow into Denver on Sunday night. While this causes a quick change from the warm, sunny skies, Michels said the snow won't have much of an impact on the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.