A clipper system will blanket the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast in snow on Wednesday, with 19 million under winter alerts as thousands are already reeling from multiple feet of snow and accidents on hazardous roads.

Several towns and villages in New York on or near Lake Ontario had reported 5 feet of snow or more as of Tuesday morning. And more snow icoming.

A quick-hitting but potent winter storm could knock out power and bring dangerous travel conditions from the Midwest to the Northeast as it delivers intense bursts of snow and strong winds.

A punishing storm has much of the U.S. bracing for severe winter weather. So what is an Alberta Clipper? And what should those in its path be expecting?

An Alberta clipper is cutting its way through the northern United States and bringing a lot of snow to the Mohawk Valley.