🔗 Share this article

Northern Canada has been gripped by an intense and prolonged cold spell, with readings persisting between -20C and -40C for multiple weeks. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, marking its chilliest December reading in half a century.

Prolonged Freeze of Extreme Cold

Similarly, the communities of Mayo and Dawson experienced 16 consecutive nights colder than minus 40 degrees, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw ten separate nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

The deep freeze spread farther south during the holiday season. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in readings no higher than -20 Celsius in numerous areas, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Likely to Linger For Days to Come

The frigid conditions are predicted to linger through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages over the next several days, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from record-high energy demand.

This extended freeze is the result of the Arctic vortex settling across the northern part of the continent this month, which funnels frigid northern air southward. Next week, the cold air mass is expected to retreat north slowly, permitting warmer Pacific winds to flow over the US and into parts of southern Canada.

Stark Contrast Compared to Stateside Temperatures

Meanwhile, in a dramatic contrast, areas of the United States saw their warmest Christmas Day on record as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May instead of the heart of winter.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, topping the prior high mark of 22 degrees established over forty years ago. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.

High-Pressure System Fuels Warmth

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist on December 26th and into the weekend, with abnormal warmth projected to move into the south-eastern states later in the week.

The warmth has been fuelled by a strong upper-level ridge extending from the desert south-west towards the north and east, creating a heat-dome effect. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system across much of the continent, which holds warm air close to the ground. Descending air compresses and adiabatically warms, enabling abnormally high temperatures to develop.