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An intense cold spell has seized an intense and prolonged cold spell, with readings persisting in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for an extended duration. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, its coldest December temperature in nearly five decades.

Enduring Chill in the Deep Minus Forties

In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through sixteen nights in a row dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw ten separate nights when readings fell to minus 30 degrees or lower.

This Arctic air mass pushed further southward over the festive period. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in lows of at least -20C across many regions, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Expected to Continue Through Early January

This harsh winter weather is expected to continue through the start of January. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from historically high electricity consumption.

The prolonged chill has been caused by the Arctic vortex settling across the northern part of the continent this month, allowing bitter Arctic air to spill south. In the coming week, forecasts indicate this cold air will pull back northward gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.

Pronounced Disparity Compared to Stateside Temperatures

In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced historically high temperatures for Christmas as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May 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, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.

Atmospheric Ridge Drives the Heat

Above-average warmth is expected to continue for the remainder of the week and beyond, with atypical high temperatures expected to spread through the American Southeast soon.

This heat is being driven by a strong upper-level ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, 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, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.