Forecasters keeping close eye on potential weekend whopper

Frigid temperatures the next couple of days will set the stage for what could be a monster blizzard here in the Northern Seacoast, with more than a foot of snow and high winds Friday night into Saturday.

There is every indication that a storm will develop and strengthen off the southern Atlantic coast late this week, according to Accuweather meteorologists, who believe it could easily transform into a bomb cyclone as it impacts New England.

A bomb cyclone, or bombogenesis, occurs when the central pressure of a storm crashes by 0.71 of an inch (24 millibars) or greater within 24 hours. When the pressure plummets, winds rush in toward the center of the storm at a faster pace. The winds can carry a great deal of moisture with them and unleash that in the form of copious amounts of precipitation. If the air is cold enough, heavy snow and blizzard conditions can ensue.

After mostly clears skies and highs of just 19 today and 22 on Thursday, Friday will begin cloudy with flurries about as early as 8 a.m. and continuing on and off throughout the day.

Locally, Accuweather forecasters are predicting as little as 3-6 inches, but that could more than double depending on the track, which remains uncertain.