I prefer 'explosive cyclogenesis'
A much cooler phrase. And one that better describes what is actually going on. A storm does not 'become' a bomb cyclone (as in "Look over there! Is that a bomb cyclone?). But a storm might
feature explosive cyclogenesis. It's a meteorological condition, not a storm type.
Every headline I'm seeing is saying that the first nor'easter of the season might
turn into 'bomb cyclone' (usually complete with the quotation marks).
No. The first nor'easter of the season might feature (or produce) explosive cyclogenesis.
'Nuff said. The sensationalism of weather reporting (including one particular channel's unilateral decision to start naming winter storms) is just a pet-peeve of mine.