See a powerful 'bomb cyclone' storm form and approach California in satellite time-lapse

NOAA's GOES-West satellite captured imagery of a big storm brewing off the west coast of the United States. "A major storm and atmospheric river is poised to impact California today (Jan. 4) and Thursday (Jan. 5) with heavy to excessive rainfall and flooding," according to the National Weather Service. Credit: CIRA / NOAA | edited by [Steve Spaleta](https://twitter.com/stevespaleta)