Large portions of the northern United States are under winter storm warnings as a strong Alberta clipper advances into the Upper Midwest and separate winter storms persist across the northern Rockies from Tuesday morning through early Wednesday, December 9-10, 2025.
Satellite image of United States and Canada acquired at 18:10 UTC on December 8, 2025. Credit: NOAA/GOES, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings across much of the northern United States, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, and Wyoming, as a strong clipper system impacts the Upper Midwest and separate winter storms continue over the northern Rockies.
An Alberta clipper is a fast-moving low-pressure system that forms in western Canada and produces narrow bands of snow, strong winds, and sharp temperature drops as it moves across the northern United States.
7–18 cm (5–7 inches) of snow and about 2.5 mm (0.1 inch) of ice accumulation are forecast in northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota, including the Grand Forks region, through Tuesday into Wednesday. Wind gusts may reach 97 km/h (60 mph), producing widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions.
Roads, bridges, and overpasses will become slick and hazardous, and travel could be life-threatening during peak storm conditions.
Farther south and east, central and eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin are under warnings from the NWS Twin Cities office. Snow is forecast to begin early Tuesday afternoon, spreading southeast through the evening.
The heaviest snowfall totals of 10–18 cm (4–7 inches) are expected along and north of I-94, with a wintry mix possible farther south. Wind gusts of 48–64 km/h (30–40 mph) will increase the risk of blowing snow and temporary whiteouts, particularly during the Tuesday evening commute.
In northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, Crow Wing, Pine, Aitkin, and Burnett Counties are under the warning, with the NWS Duluth office forecasting 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) of snow, locally up to 20 cm (8 inches). Conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly by midday Tuesday, and forecasters warn that travel could become very difficult by nightfall.
Across western and central Wisconsin, the warning area includes Taylor, Clark, Barron, Rusk, and Chippewa Counties, heavy snow is expected from Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning, with accumulations between 10–18 cm (4–7 inches) and wind gusts near 56 km/h (35 mph). Hazardous conditions will affect both the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.
In western Mackinac County, Michigan, the winter storm warning remains in effect until 10:00 EST Tuesday, with expected totals between 10–20 cm (4–8 inches), and localized amounts up to 28 cm (11 inches). Winds up to 56 km/h (35 mph) will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially along the U.S. Highway 2 corridor.
In the western high terrain, the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains of Montana and Yellowstone National Park and adjacent Wyoming ranges will continue to experience prolonged heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Total accumulations of 30–61 cm (1–2 feet) are expected in parts of the Absaroka/Beartooth range, with 25–50 cm (10–20 inches) forecast across sections of Yellowstone National Park. Wind gusts may reach 113 km/h (70 mph) along exposed ridgetops. The NWS notes that backcountry travel will be dangerous, and avalanche risk will rise as snow continues through midweek.
References:
1 Winter Storm Warning – NWS – December 8, 2025
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