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A prolonged deep freeze has enveloped an intense and prolonged cold spell, with thermometers lingering in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for multiple weeks. This week, the Yukon community of Braeburn saw the mercury drop to -55.7C, its coldest December temperature since 1975.

Enduring Chill of Extreme Cold

Similarly, the communities of Mayo and Dawson experienced sixteen nights in a row below -40C, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C at the start of the week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

This Arctic air mass pushed further southward during the holiday season. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C in numerous areas, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Likely to Linger Through Early January

This harsh winter weather is expected to continue through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages over the next several days, as the system endures record-high pressure from peak power usage levels.

The lengthy cold snap originates from the Arctic vortex settling across the northern part of the continent this month, enabling a surge of icy Arctic winds to descend. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north slowly, permitting warmer Pacific winds to flow over the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.

Pronounced Disparity to American Heat

In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced their warmest Christmas Day on record as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. Across wide regions, the atmosphere was more akin to late spring instead of the heart of winter.

A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.

High-Pressure System Fuels Warmth

Above-average warmth is expected to continue on December 26th and into the weekend, with atypical high temperatures expected to spread through the American Southeast soon.

The unseasonable temperatures are powered by a robust atmospheric ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system over a large portion of North America, 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.