East Coast Cyclone a Winter Hurricane Nears New York City, Boston on Thursday

A "winter hurricane" could slam into New York City and Boston on Thursday, possibly ranking as one of the most intense storms over Northeastern waters in a decade for this time of the year. It’s being called a “bomb cyclone.”

The Washington Post reported the central pressure of the cyclone will fall 53 millibars off the coast of Long Island and eastern New England on Thursday, leading to winds increasing from 30 to 50 miles per hour along the coast.

There are more than a few simulations that drop pressures under 950hPa. I can't think of any extratropical cyclone in recent times at that magnitude off the East Coast .... ? Of course it may not get there, but still 😮 #nywx #njwx #ncwx #scwx #flwx #gawx #ctwx #mawx #mewx pic.twitter.com/WXi1YGQXmz

— Greg Postel (@GregPostel) January 2, 2018

Forecasters said winds could top hurricane strength over the ocean, where large waves will be created, the Post reported.

While Boston is expected to get seven inches of snow, Mashable reported sources as saying New York City is "straddling the line between a heavy snowstorm and a moderate event. It would take another 50-mile shift westward in the storm track, which is entirely plausible at this point in the game, to put New York City in the crosshairs for heavy snow as well, and a 100-mile shift — which is also within the realm of possibility, would put inland areas in play, too."

Mashable said the forecast trend through midday Tuesday had been to move the track slightly to the west, "giving forecasters in New York, Philadelphia, and Connecticut heartburn."

WNBC-TV reported the National Weather Service was predicting possible blizzard conditions for parts of Long Island and Connecticut. A winter storm warning is in effect for Suffolk County on Long Island and Ocean County in New Jersey through Thursday.

A winter storm watch also has been posted Wednesday night and Thursday for Long Island's Nassau County, New York City, Westchester County, Fairfield County in Connecticut, and Monmouth County in New Jersey, per WNBC-TV.

The storm is part of a larger winter system that will bring snow accumulation as far south as Florida, with an inch expected in Tallahassee, and some three to five inches in eastern North Carolina, The Associated Press reported.

Twenty-eight Georgia counties have already been placed in a state of emergency by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal because of the cold temperatures, the AP said.