Alberta Clipper prompts winter storm watches in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Wyoming
A strong Alberta clipper will bring heavy snow and gusty winds to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest from Tuesday, December 9, through early Wednesday, December 10, 2025, prompting winter storm watches across multiple states.
Satellite image of the northern USA as of 10:30 UTC on December 8, 2025. Credit: NOAA/GOES-19, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
A strong Alberta clipper storm is forecast to sweep southeast across the northern United States on Tuesday, December 9, bringing a brief period of snow and strong winds to Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Wyoming. As a result, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple Winter Storm Watches for anticipated heavy snow and near-blizzard conditions in open areas.
The NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen office forecasts snow to begin in central Minnesota early Tuesday afternoon, spreading into western Wisconsin by evening.
The heaviest snow is forecast along and north of the I-94 corridor, including St. Cloud, Cambridge, Stillwater, and Eau Claire, where a narrowband of 10–18 cm (4–7 inches) will be possible.
Snowfall is forecast to taper off from west to east by Wednesday morning. Winds are forecast to increase during the storm, with gusts between 50–65 km/h (30–40 mph), producing blowing snow and reduced visibility in rural areas.
The NWS Green Bay and La Crosse offices forecast 10–18 cm (4–7 inches) of snow for central and northeastern Wisconsin, including Wausau, Appleton, and Door County, with local snowfall rates up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) per hour Tuesday night. Light snow may persist into Wednesday morning, affecting the Wednesday commute.
The NWS Grand Forks office forecasts that snow in eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota through Tuesday morning, accompanied by periods of blowing snow and patchy freezing rain.
Peak wind gusts could reach 70 km/h (43 mph), with visibility decreasing sharply during heavier snowfall. Travel hazards are expected across the Red River Valley, Fargo, and Grand Forks regions through Tuesday night, with gradual improvement by Wednesday morning.
The NWS Riverton office has issued Winter Storm Watches for the Teton, Gros Ventre, Wind River, and Salt River Ranges from late Monday night through Wednesday afternoon.
Total snow accumulations of 20–45 cm (8–18 inches) are possible, with gusts up to 70–80 km/h (43– 50 mph) at higher elevations. Travel through mountain passes, including Teton Pass and portions of U.S. Highway 26, may become difficult or temporarily impassable during periods of heavier snowfall.
The clipper system is forecast to move rapidly eastward, exiting the region by Wednesday morning. Colder Arctic air is expected to spread southward across the Upper Midwest afterward, maintaining below-normal temperatures through midweek (December 10–12).
Motorists are advised to delay or avoid travel during the period of heaviest snow and strongest winds, especially Tuesday evening.
1 Winter Storm Watch – NWS – December 8, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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