2006-09-28 10:42:18 · 7 answers · asked by spackler 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Basically it's a fast moving cold front
2006-09-28 10:44:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has to due with a particular type of storm system...Alberta Clippers. I've heard 2 reasons why they're called clippers. The storms are embedded in a very strong NW oriented jet stream (often 100+ mph) and as a result the surface low and cold front move very fast, moving many hundreds of miles a day. Winds behind the front are very strong and as the cold air moves in wind chills bottom out. Typically only little snow falls from the storm as they are moisture-starved, but any previously fallen snow can be picked up creating blizzard like conditions. Some evolve into Nor'easters when they reach the East Coast.
Now back on track. Reason one, they only 'clip' the southern portion of Alberta, hence Alberta Clipper. Reason two (in my opinion the correct reason), the surface low organizes over Alberta and Clipper is reference to the fast moving ships of the 19th Century.
2006-09-28 12:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by buckj04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alberta clipper -- During the winter, a fast-moving low pressure system that sweeps southeast from Alberta, Canada, across the northern Great Plains and Midwest of the United States. These storms usually bring a few inches of low water-content snow, and, when intense, can produce blizzards. This was on the cw11 news website. Here is the website. http://cw11.trb.com/news/weather/wpix-weatherwords-a,0,2947034.story
2006-09-29 07:38:16 · answer #3 · answered by Brian S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"An Alberta clipper is a type of fast moving storm which occurs over the northern Great Plains and upper Midwest in the United States. They usually beset the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota,Wisconsin, as well as western Pennsylvania and New York, and in the province of Ontario. Most clippers occur in winter, but can occur outside of the season, generally, off-season clippers would occur in November."
2006-09-28 10:43:33 · answer #4 · answered by zen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually a fast moving cold front, coming down from the northern regions (hence the term "Alberta Clipper").
2006-09-28 10:43:46 · answer #5 · answered by Critter Lady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fast moving weak low pressure system
2006-09-29 10:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by questionasker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
another word for lightning
2006-09-28 10:44:56 · answer #7 · answered by Al Bundy 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋