A series of fast-moving winter storms, known as “speedboat storms,” are expected to bring persistent snow, lake-effect bands and sharply lower temperatures to the Midwest and Northeast early next week, according to meteorologists.
“Three consecutive rounds of cold weather will bring snow to the Interior Northeast and the Great Lakes,” AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in an email. “A foot or more of snow is possible downwind of the Great Lakes and at higher elevations by the end of the weekend.”
The surge of cold air in the wake of the storm will cause rapid freezing, leading to slippery conditions that could make travel challenging in the coming days.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, lake effect snow warning and winter storm warning for parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast interior through Friday.
What is Clippers Storm?
They are fast-moving storms that originate in central Canada and move across the Great Lakes, producing steady snowfall, according to the National Weather Service. “The Clippers tend to make less snow than the Northeast, but due to the low moisture content/dryness of the snow, the snow can be very fluffy and pile up/difficult to remove,” the National Weather Service website states. “Because it was already cold when the Clippers came through, there was very little precipitation type other than snow. It was almost all pure snow.”
First Clipper Storm
More than 6 inches of snow are expected in areas downwind of the Great Lakes, including Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York. “A foot or more of snow could fall in some places Thursday night,” AccuWeather meteorologist Elizabeth Danco said.
Cold air following the first storm could bring 1 to 6 inches of snow south to the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and east to New York’s Catskill Mountains and New England’s Green and White Mountains.
Second Clipper Storm
The storm is moving southeast, with snow expected to spread from Duluth, Minnesota, starting at noon Thursday and possibly reaching Chicago and central Michigan by Thursday night. Meteorologists said it would reach Cleveland by noon Friday.
Steady snowfall from the storm typically ranges from 1 to 3 inches. Higher rainfall amounts, ranging from 3 to 6 inches, are possible in northern Minnesota, northern and western Michigan, and northwest Wisconsin.
The storm will reach the interior Northeast over the weekend, bringing lake-effect snow with it. “Snow accumulation is possible in the Poconos, Catskills and Berkshires this weekend,” Buckingham said. “Road conditions can quickly deteriorate as snow bands move through. Drivers should slow down and increase following distance. Sudden reductions in visibility and slippery roads are a dangerous combination.”
The third Clippers storm
Meanwhile, a third speedboat storm is expected to sweep across the upper Midwest over the weekend, bringing more consistent snowfall from northern Minnesota to northern Michigan.
Coastal storm development
Map showing the mixed winter forecast for developing storms along the Gulf Coast. (accurate weather)
In addition to the three Clipper storms, another storm is expected to hit the Gulf Coast over the weekend. Snow, sleet and rain are possible Sunday from southern Georgia to southern Delaware. Meteorologists are tracking the storm to see if it develops further inland, across the Southeast and north toward the Northeast coast. Alternatively, the developing storm could remain weak and bypass the I-95 Northeast Corridor out to sea.
