The Midwest and Northeast are bracing for a series of fast-moving winter storms this week, bringing snow, strong winds, and a significant drop in temperatures. These systems, known as Alberta Clippers, are expected to impact the region from Monday, December 8th, through the upcoming weekend.
What is an Alberta Clipper?
Alberta Clippers are low-pressure systems that originate in the Canadian province of Alberta and move rapidly southeastward across the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast. They are most common between October and March, particularly during the heart of winter. These systems are characterized by their speed (often traveling at 30-40 mph) and their ability to bring quick bursts of snow, strong winds (sometimes reaching up to 60 mph), and a surge of frigid Arctic air. Temperatures can plummet as much as 30 degrees in just a few hours.
While Clippers often lack significant moisture due to their speed, they can intensify under certain conditions. La Niña years, with a southward-diving jet stream tapping into lake moisture, can lead to heavier snow, snow squalls, and dangerous travel conditions. Clippers that reach the East Coast can also strengthen rapidly by drawing in moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, potentially resulting in significant snowfall in New England.
Clipper #1: Monday Night into Early Tuesday
The first clipper arrived Monday night, bringing a blanket of snow to many areas. According to the National Weather Service office in Duluth, Minnesota, the initial system delivered:
- 1–3 inches of snow for many areas.
- 3–6 inches in Minnesota’s Arrowhead (Winter Weather Advisory in effect).
- Light, fluffy snow, creating the potential for slick travel conditions.
- Gusty northwest winds arriving late Tuesday into Wednesday, which may cause areas of blowing snow.
The snow from the first clipper is expected to taper off early Tuesday, providing a brief respite before the arrival of the second, more powerful system.
Clipper #2: Tuesday Afternoon Through Wednesday Morning
The second clipper is anticipated to be the most impactful of the week. Forecasters predict that this storm will:
- Track from southwestern Canada into the Northern Plains on Tuesday.
- Race into the Great Lakes region Tuesday night.
- Spread rain and snow across the Northeast on Wednesday.
Snowfall Expectations
A significant swath of snow, totaling 3–6 inches, is expected to extend from northern North Dakota through far northern New York and Vermont. However, some localized areas may experience even higher accumulations.
- 6–12 inches are possible in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, and southern Ontario.
- An isolated maximum snowfall of 15 inches cannot be ruled out.
Cities such as Minneapolis, Detroit, and Buffalo could see varying snowfall totals depending on the precise track of the system.
Widespread Wind Hazards
Clipper #2 will also bring widespread wind hazards to the region.
- 40–50 mph wind gusts are expected from Montana and Wyoming into Wisconsin and Illinois.
- Winds could reach up to 70 mph in higher elevations of Montana and Wyoming.
- An isolated maximum wind gust of 85 mph is possible in parts of Montana and South Dakota.
- 50 mph gusts are expected to spread east across the Ohio Valley and Northeast on Wednesday.
These strong winds may cause blowing snow, hazardous travel conditions, and scattered power outages, particularly in open areas. The National Weather Service has indicated that Clipper #2 may produce a band of 6 inches or more of snow in areas where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect, particularly from north-central Minnesota to the Minnesota–Wisconsin border.
Impact on the Northeast
The Northeast will first experience a cold blast with temperatures well below freezing and wind chills intensified by 20–25 mph gusts.
- Precipitation is expected to arrive Tuesday night into Wednesday.
- Southern areas will likely see mostly rain.
- The northern tier may experience a wintry mix or accumulating snow.
- Any snow is expected to change to rain by around 10 a.m. Wednesday for most of the region.
- Far northern New York and northern New England remain the exception, with several inches of snow possible.
Additional Clippers on the Horizon
The active weather pattern is expected to continue beyond Clipper #2. Forecasters are warning of another chance for snow Friday night, December 12th, into Saturday, December 13th, and a third clipper Saturday night into Sunday, December 14th, which may produce more widespread snow.
While the fast west-to-east movement of these systems generally prevents giant snowstorms, each one will reinforce the chilly Arctic air. By Saturday, high temperatures may only reach the single digits in Minneapolis, Madison, and Chicago, and overnight lows may dip to subzero across the Midwest.
Travel Safety
With each storm, forecasters are emphasizing that untreated roads may freeze into black ice, creating hazardous travel conditions. With multiple opportunities for additional snow throughout the week, travel impacts are likely, especially Tuesday night through Wednesday morning and Friday into the weekend. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and be prepared for changing road conditions.
