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Northern Canada has been gripped by a severe and lengthy Arctic outbreak, with readings persisting in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for an extended duration. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, its coldest December temperature since 1975.

Enduring Chill in the Deep Minus Forties

Similarly, the communities of Mayo and Dawson experienced over two straight weeks of nights colder than minus 40 degrees, with the temperature in Mayo bottoming out at -50.4 degrees Celsius on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw 10 nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

The deep freeze spread farther south over the festive period. In Edmonton, the Christmas overnight low dipped under -28 degrees Celsius.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in readings no higher than -20 Celsius 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. There are warnings of possible electrical grid strain in Yukon territory soon, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from peak power usage levels.

The lengthy cold snap originates from the Arctic vortex settling across the northern part of the continent this month, which funnels frigid northern air southward. 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

Conversely, sections of America recorded their warmest Christmas Day on record as the mercury climbed roughly 15 to 30 degrees above typical averages. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May rather than the end of December.

A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reached 25 degrees Celsius on Christmas, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.

Heat-Dome Effect Sustains High Temperatures

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist for the remainder of the week and beyond, with atypical high temperatures expected to spread through the American Southeast soon.

The warmth has been fuelled by a powerful high-altitude ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, establishing a classic heat-dome pattern. This setup creates an extensive zone of high atmospheric pressure across much of the continent, which holds warm air close to the ground. Sinking atmospheric air undergoes compression and additional heating, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.