The United States is on high alert as a powerful bomb cyclone, combined with a potent atmospheric river, is poised to unleash extreme weather across the west coast this week.

Residents of the northwest are bracing this week for an incoming atmospheric river poised to slam Northern California, Oregon and Washington this week, bringing heavy rain and potential hurricane-force winds to the region.

An intense mid-latitude cyclone is expected to take aim at the West Coast of the United States Monday night into Tuesday, ushering a strong atmospheric river into Oregon and California. This low-pressure system is likely to go through bombogenesis,

A formidable 'bomb cyclone' driven by a powerful Category 5 atmospheric river is predicted to hit the West Coast of the United State..|News Track

A powerful storm system will bring heavy mountain snowfall, rain, and high winds to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California through midweek. Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages,

A low-pressure system headed for Northern California and Oregon is likely to bring extreme rain and strong winds.

Starting Tuesday, the Pacific Northwest could get at least 6 inches of rain, with 20-plus inches possible in the mountains. Strong winds could cause power outages.

The Northwest is bracing for a strong storm system to move in this week, fueled by an atmospheric river​ and bomb cyclone. What do those terms mean?

KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart explains the bomb cyclone that's developing over the Pacific and the lasting impacts it will have in Portland in the coming days.