You might hear us talking about “clippers” quite often during the winter season, but do you know what they are? An Alberta Clipper is a fast-moving winter storm system that develops in Alberta, Canada.

They race southeast across the northern United States. Clippers form when cold, dry Canadian air meets a quick-moving disturbance in the upper atmosphere. These systems are known for their speed, their sharp temperature drops, and their ability to stir up gusty winds that make even light snow feel more intense. While they usually are moving too quickly to dump enormous amounts of snow, it’s pretty common for them to bring quick bursts of snow.

But what clippers lack in moisture, they make up for in bite. They can deliver a rush of cold Arctic air. Strong winds on the backside of the system can create blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and making roads slick even after the main band of snow has passed.

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Some clippers strengthen as they reach the Great Lakes, tapping into the warmer lake water to produce bursts of lake-enhanced or lake-effect snow. And because clippers move so quickly, they can also set the stage for a parade of reinforcing cold fronts, bringing repeated shots of chill and snow every couple of days during active winter patterns.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.