Talk:Alberta clipper

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For you Americans there, Alberta Clippers usually hit Ontario, Quebec, and some parts of Alatanic Canada, not just the United States.--199.212.250.96 13:10, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Other types of clippers

I heard in addition to Alberta Clippers (which are the most famous), there are also Saskatchewan Screamers and Manitoba Maulers, both of which are less common. I read that for these 3 types of clippers, here was the information for each of them:

Alberta Clippers- weakest of the three, most common of all (60%)

Saskatchewan Screamer- moderate intensity, moderate frequency (25%)

Manitoba Mauler- strongest of the three, rarest one (15%)

From what I've read, these would be 3 types of Clippers- systems which come in quick and drop a lot of snow (usually 2"-8") in a short time.

Beyond this, I know nothing more about the less common types of clippers. Maybe someone more informed on the matter can illuminate this subject.

[edit] Accumulations are less?

I don't think, as the article says, that the following statement is accurate: "Alberta clippers also tend to bring snow with them, although since the temperatures are lower the snowflakes are smaller and therefore accumulations are less."

Lower temperatures enable more complete crystallization of condensed water vapor, therefore what ya get is MORE accumulation with the same amount of moisture than ya get at a higher temperature. This means that, though the flakes may be smaller, the accumulation is actually greater at lower temperatures. At 5 degrees F, 1 inch of water can equal as much as 60 inches of snow (according to Tom Skilling, WGN Channel 9 in Chicago) where as 1 inch of water at 32 F may only equal 7 inches to a foot of snow.

Thanks

[edit] Changes Made

I edited this page to better reflect what actually occurs with these systems. Yes, snowfall amounts tend to be less due to a lack of moisture, NOT the cold temperatures. As you said, the colder temperatures can actually lead to higher snowfall amounts. One of my meteorology profs back in college said he once measured two inches of snow that melted to a trace amount (<0.01"). Yeah, it was cold.

-Paul 148.126.101.41 12:17, 18 February 2007 (UTC)