Honestly, if you live in the Twin Cities or up toward Duluth, you’ve felt that specific type of dread when the local meteorologist starts talking about a "clipper" rolling in from Canada. You look at the driveway. You think about your lower back. But here’s the thing—Minnesota clipper shovel-able snow is secretly the only reason many of us haven't moved to Arizona yet.
It’s not the heavy, heart-attack-inducing slush that comes with those late March "Colorado Lows." It’s different.
A clipper is basically a fast-moving, low-pressure system that hitches a ride on the jet stream, diving down from Alberta (hence the name Alberta Clipper) and racing across the Midwest. Because these storms move so fast—sometimes crossing the entire state in just six hours—they don't have time to soak up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. What you get is a quick burst of light, powdery, and incredibly easy-to-move snow.
What Makes Clipper Snow So "Shovel-able"?
It all comes down to the snow-to-liquid ratio. Your average, run-of-the-mill snowstorm usually has a ratio of about 10:1. That means if you melted ten inches of snow, you’d get one inch of water.
Clipper systems are overachievers in the fluff department. Because they are born in frigid Canadian air, the ratios often jump to 15:1 or even 20:1. In extreme cases, like some of the clippers we saw in December 2025, you might even see 30:1.
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That is basically frozen air.
When you stick your shovel into a pile of Minnesota clipper shovel-able snow, it doesn't fight back. It doesn't stick to the blade. It’s the kind of snow you can actually clear with a leaf blower or a stiff broom if you’re quick enough. You've probably seen your neighbor out there with a shop vac or a Husqvarna blower just clearing the sidewalk in five minutes. They aren't crazy; they just understand the physics of a clipper.
The Anatomy of the Fluff
- Low Moisture: These storms are "moisture-starved."
- Cold Temps: It’s usually 15°F or colder when they hit, which keeps the flakes from melting and sticking together.
- Speed: They "clip" along at 30-50 mph, leaving little time for heavy accumulation.
Why We Should Stop Complaining About the "Inches"
We get obsessed with the numbers on the screen. "Oh great, another four inches," we grumble. But four inches of clipper snow is physically lighter than one inch of that wet, "cement" snow we get in April.
I remember a storm back in March 2023—the "Super-Duper Clipper" as the Minnesota DNR called it. Even when it dropped significant amounts, it remained relatively manageable because it didn't have that greasy, heavy texture.
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The real danger with a clipper isn't the weight; it's the wind. Because the snow is so light, the gusty winds that follow the cold front will whip it right back onto your driveway the second you finish. It’s a bit of a Sisyphus situation. You shovel. The wind blows. The driveway is white again.
The Best Way to Handle Minnesota Clipper Shovel-able Snow
If you’re looking at a fresh coat of this stuff, don't wait for the sun to come out. Since it’s so light, the wind is your biggest enemy. If you let it sit, it’ll drift into three-foot piles that are much harder to move, even if they are still "light."
- Use a Pusher, Not a Scoop: Since you aren't lifting 50 pounds of slush, use a wide-blade pusher shovel. You can clear a three-car driveway in half the time by just walking the snow to the edges.
- The Leaf Blower Trick: If the temp is below 20°F, grab the leaf blower. It sounds ridiculous until you try it. It’s the most satisfying way to clear a porch.
- Watch the Wind Direction: Always shovel with the wind at your back. If you try to toss clipper snow into the wind, you’re just going to end up wearing it.
- Skip the Salt (Sometimes): If it's 5°F outside, your standard rock salt won't do much anyway. Since this snow is so dry, it doesn't usually bond to the pavement. A clean scrape with a metal-edged shovel usually leaves the concrete bone-dry.
Is Climate Change Ruining the Clipper?
Lately, things have been getting weird. Meteorologists like Sven Sundgaard have pointed out that as the atmosphere warms, these clippers are starting to tap into more moisture. We saw this in late December 2025, where a "routine" clipper suddenly behaved like a major winter storm because it hit a pocket of unseasonably warm, moist air.
When that happens, the "shovel-ability" drops. It becomes denser. More like a traditional storm.
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But for now, the classic Minnesota clipper remains the "polite" version of a blizzard. It shows up, gives us a beautiful white landscape, and doesn't demand we spend three hours at the chiropractor the next day.
Practical Next Steps for the Next Forecast
Check the "Dew Point" and the "Ratio" on your weather app next time you see a storm coming from the northwest. If the ratio is 15:1 or higher, you’re looking at prime Minnesota clipper shovel-able snow.
Get your light equipment ready. Make sure the leaf blower has gas or a charged battery. If you can get out there while it’s still falling, you’ll find that a quick 10-minute pass is all you need to keep the pavement clear. Don't let the "inches" scare you—it's mostly air, and it's the easiest workout you'll get all winter.
Check your shovel for cracks now before the next Canadian system dives south; a smooth plastic edge is your best friend for this specific kind of powder.