🔗 Share this article

Northern Canada has been gripped by an intense and prolonged cold spell, with readings persisting from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for an extended duration. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, its coldest December temperature since 1975.

Consecutive Nights Below -40C

In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through sixteen nights in a row below -40C, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when temperatures dropped below -30C.

The deep freeze spread farther south over the festive period. On Christmas Day, overnight temperatures in Edmonton fell below -28C.

The day after Christmas was forecast to deliver minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C in numerous areas, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.

Likely to Linger into the New Year

The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from historically high electricity consumption.

This extended freeze is the result of the polar vortex remaining anchored 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.

Pronounced Disparity Compared to Stateside Temperatures

Meanwhile, in a dramatic contrast, areas of the United States saw their warmest Christmas Day on record as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May than late December.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

High-Pressure System Drives the Heat

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist for the remainder of the week and beyond, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep into the south-eastern states later in the week.

The unseasonable temperatures are powered by a robust atmospheric ridge reaching from the arid southwest across the continent, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. This setup creates an extensive zone of high atmospheric pressure across much of the continent, effectively capping warm air at lower altitudes. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, allowing unusually warm temperatures to build.