A punishing storm has much of the U.S. bracing for severe winter weather. So what is an Alberta Clipper? And what should those in its path be expecting?

As a fast-moving system is expected to bring some plowable snow to Vermont, Northern New York and much of New England this week, many might be wondering what an Alberta Clipper is. We break down what this term means and where it comes from.

Alberta Clippers are quick-moving areas of low pressure that originate in the western Canadian province of Alberta, usually tapping some energy from the polar jet stream and sometimes a bit from the Pacific. The name “clipper” was coined in the 1960s and derives from the fast-moving sailing ships of the 19th century.

An Alberta clipper is cutting its way through the northern United States and bringing a lot of snow to the Mohawk Valley.

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The snow that will be impacting western Massachusetts Wednesday night is what meteorologists call an Alberta clipper. As snow is in the forecast for tonight into Thursday morning, this snow will not be from a coastal low-pressure system but from an Alberta clipper.

A series of fast-moving winter storms, known as Alberta Clippers, will sweep across the Upper Midwest and Northeast next week.