Weather Whys: What are Alberta Clippers

 

Alberta Clippers. It's a weather term you hear often during the winter months with many of our snow storms and the focus of today's Weather Whys. 

Alberta Clippers are named from the Canadian province they originate from - Alberta and Clippers is a reference to the ship "clippers" that move at a very fast pace. Wisconsin doesn't see every Alberta Clipper that occurs. It is common for some to stay north of our local area and even occasionally go to the south. Clippers are usually fast paced storms that only last 12-18 hours. They typically don't have a lot of moisture with them which decreases the amount of snow and they also are usually followed by cold air as the wind shifts out of the northwest.

Weather Whys is a segment by Meteorologist Justin Thompson-Gee that airs during the CBS 58 News on WMLW - The M from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. The segment answers viewer weather questions, explains weather phenomena and reveals interesting weather stats. To submit your question reach out to Justin on Facebook, Twitter or by emailing him at JThompson-Gee@cbs58.com.