What is a Clipper System?

news image
Special Stories
28 Nov 2023 5:35 PM

Speedy, gusty, snowy … cold. These may be signs you're dealing with one of the most common winter storm types to impact North America. An Alberta Clipper.

The Clipper gets its name from the province where it forms Alberta in the Lee of the Canadian Rockies. These cold low pressure systems are driven by the fast flowing winds in the jet stream which quickly push them across the northern Great plains into the Great Lakes, Midwest and Northeast.

These systems aren’t typically big snow makers producing around 3, to 6 inches on the higher end. However, they can greatly enhance lake effect snow which can quickly pile up around the Great Lakes. The cold and strong wind flow behind these systems also drops temperatures, induces bitter wind chills, and whips up dangerous blizzard conditions similar to an Alberta Clipper.

If a southward diving low originates in a different province, it can still be a Clipper system but may have a different name such as: Saskatchewan Screamer, Manitoba Mauler, Ontario scary-O. No matter the name, it's best to be prepared for quickly changing conditions when these storms move in.

All Weather News
More
Hurricane Flossie Back to Category 2

Hurricane Flossie Back to Category 2

Hurricane FlossieThe National Hurricane Cente

2 Jul 2025 2:45 PM
Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

2 Jul 2025 1:00 PM
NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

Later this week, a frontal boundary is expect

2 Jul 2025 9:30 AM
Western Heat Continues With Some Relief

Western Heat Continues With Some Relief

A large dome of hot, high pressure remains ac

2 Jul 2025 2:00 AM
Severe Storms For the East Coast Through Tuesday

Severe Storms For the East Coast Through Tuesday

A cold front moving through a moist airmass h

2 Jul 2025 1:00 AM
Rounds Of Severe For Plains

Rounds Of Severe For Plains

A shortwave trough will move across the plain

1 Jul 2025 1:30 PM
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

It has been an active, severe season across t

30 Jun 2025 9:00 PM