It’s Alberta clipper time

One of the unusual features of our recent snowstorm was that it was not followed by the typical blast of frigid arctic air that we would expect in early February. So high temperatures today will range from the upper teens in the north to mid 20s in the south--quite normal for this time of year.

Instead, there will be a parade of Alberta clipper weather systems heading our way from western Canada. These mini-storms move quickly, like the clipper sailing ships of old, and rarely bring us more than a few inches of snow.

The first clipper will arrive this morning, and it is a rather weak one. The area of snow has been increasing over central Minnesota early this morning. It should spread up to an inch or two of snow at most from the St. Cloud area east-southeastward to the metro area during the morning.

On its current track, the greatest amounts should fall on the north half of the metro.

Tomorrow will be a replay, but the snow will arrive later in the day. Another clipper sytem will race in Friday afternoon and lay down a little light snow. Current models are forecasting about an inch or two for some of us during the afternoon and evening.

The weekend will treat us to milder temperatures but also another Alberta clipper.

This third clipper system that should arrive on Sunday will not form in Alberta until Saturday, so it is too early to make a detailed forecast, but it is likely to be a stronger storm that will deepen as it crosses the Upper Midwest.

It should arrive Saturday night and hang around for Sunday. Forecast models hint that this one will produce a little more snow for us, but probably not more than a few inches. And there could be some rain or mixed precipitation as a result of the mild temperatures.

Strong northwesterly winds will begin to blow in on the clipper's backside later on Sunday and continue to blow through Monday and into Tuesday.

Expect much chillier temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday.