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Northern Canada has been gripped by a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with thermometers lingering from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for weeks. This week, the Yukon community of Braeburn saw the mercury drop to -55.7C, marking its chilliest December reading since 1975.

Prolonged Freeze of Extreme Cold

In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through sixteen nights in a row colder than minus 40 degrees, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C at the start of the week. Whitehorse similarly reported ten separate nights when temperatures dropped below -30C.

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

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

Likely to Linger For Days to Come

The severe cold is forecast to persist into the new year. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages soon, as the system endures record-high pressure from record-high energy demand.

The lengthy cold snap originates from the polar vortex remaining anchored 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 allowing more temperate air from the Pacific to sweep across America and reach into portions of southern Canada.

Dramatic Difference Compared to Stateside Temperatures

In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced the hottest December 25th in their history as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May than late December.

Multiple states established new Christmas temperature highs. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, topping the prior high mark of 22 degrees established over forty years ago. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.

Heat-Dome Effect Fuels Warmth

Above-average warmth is expected to continue on December 26th and into the weekend, with abnormal warmth projected to move into the south-eastern states later in the week.

This heat is being driven by a strong upper-level ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, establishing a classic heat-dome pattern. This pattern establishes a broad area of high pressure across much of the continent, effectively capping warm air at lower altitudes. Sinking atmospheric air undergoes compression and additional heating, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.