Accumulating Snow For Parts Of North Dakota This Week!
News broke yesterday of a potential Alberta Clipper system that could bring accumulating snow for a good chunk of North Dakota.
What is an Alberta Clipper anyway?
It's a pretty simple definition. An Alberta Clipper is typically a fast-moving winter weather system that begins in the Canadian Rockies and usually brings snow, gusty winds, and cold temperatures to the northern United States (including North Dakota). Right before the clipper system hits, we usually see warmer temps before it flips like a light switch.
(SEE ALSO: The Farmers' Almanac's BRUTAL winter forecast for North Dakota)
Alberta Clippers are usually moisture-deprived, and snowfall is typically light (an inch or two). That looks to be the case with this coming system, which is expected to hit the Northern Plains late Friday night into Saturday.
This could be the very first official snow of the season for many in North Dakota.
Some locations in northern North Dakota have already seen their first snow of the season last week. We, of course, only saw rain in the Bismarck-Mandan area, except for a few wet flakes. Remember, you need 0.1 inches of snow to accumulate on the ground for it to be considered the first snow. Snow that melts on contact with the ground doesn't count.
What areas of North Dakota look to be in the bullseye of this Alberta Clipper?
Since we are still several days out, this line could certainly change, but it appears to be lining up from Minot over to Jamestown with the system diving to the southeast into northeast South Dakota, and over into southern Minnesota. An inch or two of snow accumulation is possible for places like Minot, Jamestown, Harvey, Devils Lake, and Rugby. Lighter accumulations of an inch or less for Valley City, Fargo, and Grand Forks.
Bismarck-Mandan looks to be right on the edge of this system as far as snow goes.
It will start out as rain on Friday evening, and it may change over to some snow Saturday morning. Any accumulation for the Capital Region looks light at this point, according to the National Weather Service and the Weather Channel. Again, we are still a few days out, and the track of this clipper system could change.
A good reminder that winter is on the way regardless. I, for one, would like it to hold off for a few more weeks.