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An intense cold spell has seized a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with readings persisting between -20C and -40C for an extended duration. This week, the Yukon community of Braeburn saw the mercury drop to -55.7C, representing its most frigid December day since 1975.

Enduring Chill in the Deep Minus Forties

Similarly, the communities of Mayo and Dawson experienced over two straight weeks of nights dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when temperatures dropped below -30C.

The bitter chill extended its reach south during the holiday season. On Christmas Day, overnight temperatures in Edmonton fell below -28C.

The day after Christmas was forecast to deliver readings no higher than -20 Celsius across many regions, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Forecast to Persist Through Early January

The frigid conditions are predicted to linger through the start of January. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon in the coming days, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from historically high electricity consumption.

This extended freeze is the result of a stationary polar vortex over Canada for much of December, which funnels frigid northern air southward. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north slowly, permitting warmer Pacific winds to flow over the US and into parts of southern Canada.

Stark Contrast Compared to Stateside Temperatures

Conversely, sections of America recorded historically high temperatures for Christmas as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. Across wide regions, the atmosphere was more akin to late spring than late December.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reached 25 degrees Celsius on Christmas, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.

Atmospheric Ridge Sustains High Temperatures

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist on December 26th and into the weekend, with abnormal warmth projected to move through the American Southeast soon.

The unseasonable temperatures are powered by a powerful high-altitude ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. This setup creates an extensive zone of high atmospheric pressure blanketing a significant part of the landmass, which holds warm air close to the ground. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.