Thousands are without power in Michigan due to 'bomb cyclone'
- - Thousands are without power in Michigan due to 'bomb cyclone'
Julia Gomez and Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY December 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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Thousands are without power in Michigan due to 'bomb cyclone'
Thousands across Michigan are without power after a "bomb cyclone" brought heavy snow and strong winds to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region.
What is basically known as a "winter hurricane" has created dangerous conditions in the region. More than 100,000 customers in Michigan are without power, according to USA TODAY's Power Outage Tracker.
On the morning of Monday, Dec. 29, winds are expected to reach 40 to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The winds are expected to peak at 45 to 55 mph by the afternoon, and residents can expect hazardous travel conditions and the possibility of power outages to continue. The strong winds could also down tree limbs.
"Such strong winds can also lead to power outages, downed tree limbs and airborne holiday decorations," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger said.
Here's what to know.
Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Y9WVAjHKNerdh59r_jpi7g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMjQ3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c54bcc3c72021253e5821d58c99c3b3f class=caas-img data-headline="Strong atmospheric river brings floods, snow, high winds to California" data-caption="
From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
">From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Y9WVAjHKNerdh59r_jpi7g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMjQ3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c54bcc3c72021253e5821d58c99c3b3f class=caas-img>
1 / 20Strong atmospheric river brings floods, snow, high winds to California
From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
Messy weather threatens travel. See forecast.
See power outage mapWhat is a 'bomb cyclone'?
The term "bomb cyclone" refers to the rapid strengthening of a storm.
It occurs when a weather system with cold, dry air meets a mass of warm, moist air, prompting the intensification, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
I’ve authorized the National Guard to support emergency winter storm operations as we work to alleviate dangerous conditions on the roads.Grateful to those who are answering the call to help our neighbors and get drivers home safely.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) December 28, 2025
Blizzard warning set, Minnesota authorizes National Guard to help
A blizzard warning was also issued for Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
On Sunday, Dec. 28, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz authorized the National Guard to support emergency winter storm operations.
"Grateful to those who are answering the call to help our neighbors and get drivers home safely," Walz said in a post on X.
Snowfall across the Midwest will range from 6 inches in some areas to up to 2 feet along the shores of the Great Lakes. Heavy snowfall, combined with gusts up to 60 mph, will create dangerous conditions for travelers.
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].
Karissa Waddick, a reporter on USA TODAY's Nation Desk, can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Power outages spread in Michigan as 'bomb cyclone' hits US
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