- 01/16/13

We can thank the Canadian province of Alberta for the weather we're experiencing right now in West Michigan.  And you can expect more of the same later this week.  Typically at this time of year, areas of low pressure develop in the lee of the Rocky Mountains in the province of Alberta.  These disturbances are often rather small, but intense storm centers, racing eastward riding the jet stream.  The point of origin, and the fact that the lows speed across the continent explain the name, "Alberta Clipper."

As a Clipper approaches the Great Lakes, the wind gets stronger, and temperatures warm thanks to a (typically) southwesterly flow.  As the disturbance passes to the east, winds shift, becoming (typically) northwesterly, and temperatures get colder.  Depending on the amount of moisture available in the atmosphere, the strength of the disturbance, and its path, we may get a little bit of snow from a Clipper (like tonight/tomorrow morning), or a lot.  Because the system is moving fast, whatever precipitation we do see falls in a relatively short amount of time.

Tonight through tomorrow morning, a Clipper crossing our region will be responsible for gusty winds, a little bit of snow, and colder temps.  But as it moves rapidly east, the clouds and snow will move out as well, revealing more sunshine.