A series of fast-moving winter storms, known as clipper storms, are expected to bring steady snow, lake-effect bands and rapid temperature drops to the Midwest and Northeast into early next week, according to meteorologists.

“Three back-to-back rounds of wintry weather will bring snow to the interior Northeast and Great Lakes,” AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in an email. “A foot or more of snow could pile up in areas downwind of the Great Lakes and across higher elevations by the end of the weekend.”

The surges of cold air trailing the storms will cause quick freeze-ups, resulting in slippery conditions that could make travel challenging over the next few days.

The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories, lake effect snow warnings and winter storm warnings through Friday for portions of the Great Lakes and interior Northeast.

What is a clipper storm?

They’re fast-moving storms that originate from central Canada and drop down across the Great Lakes, producing steady snowfalls, according to the NWS. “Clippers tend to make less snow than do Nor'easters, but the snow can be very fluffy and pile up/be tough to clear, due to the low/dry water-content of the snow,” the NWS website says. “Since it is already very cold when the Clippers move through, it is rare to get other precipitation types than snow. They are almost always pure snow.”

The first clipper storm

In areas downwind of the Great Lakes, including Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York, more than 6 inches of snow is expected. “A few spots could receive a foot or more of snow through Thursday night," said AccuWeather meteorologist Elizabeth Danco.

Colder air behind the first storm could bring 1 to 6 inches of snow, dipping as far south as the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and reaching as far east as the Catskills in New York and the Green and White Mountains of New England.

The second clipper storm

This storm is sweeping southeastward as snow is forecast to spread from Duluth, Minn., from midday Thursday and could reach Chicago and central Michigan by Thursday night. Meteorologists have said that by midday Friday, it will reach Cleveland.

The steady snow from the storm will generally range from 1 to 3 inches. Northern Minnesota, northern and western Michigan and northwestern Wisconsin could see higher amounts, from 3 to 6 inches.

During the weekend, the storm will reach the interior Northeast with accumulating lake-effect snow. "Snow accumulations are possible in the Poconos, Catskills, and Berkshires this weekend,” said Buckingham. “Road conditions can deteriorate rapidly when snow bands move through. Drivers should slow down and increase following distance. Sudden drops in visibility and slippery roads are a dangerous combination.”

Third clipper storm

Meanwhile, a third clipper storm is forecast to sweep into the upper Midwest over the weekend, with more steady snow from northern Minnesota to northern Michigan.

Developing coastal storm

In addition to the three clipper storms, another storm is forecast to develop along the Gulf Coast over the weekend. Southern Georgia up to southern Delaware could see snow, sleet and rain on Sunday. Meteorologists are tracking the storm to see if it will develop further inland, over the Southeast, and head up further north into the coastal Northeast. Or the developing storm could remain weak and head out to sea, bypassing the I-95 Northeast corridor.