Prolonged Chill Grips the Great White North as US Records Warmest Christmas on Record.
An intense cold spell has seized a severe and lengthy Arctic outbreak, with temperatures hovering in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for weeks. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, its coldest December temperature since 1975.
Prolonged Freeze in the Deep Minus Forties
Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured over two straight weeks of nights colder than minus 40 degrees, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw 10 nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.
The deep freeze spread farther south through Christmas week. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.
Boxing Day was expected to bring minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C in numerous areas, including Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec.
Forecast to Persist Through Early January
This harsh winter weather is expected to continue into the new year. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from historically high electricity consumption.
This extended freeze is the result of the Arctic vortex settling above Canadian territory through December, enabling a surge of icy Arctic winds to descend. In the coming week, forecasts indicate this cold air will pull back northward gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across America and reach into portions of southern Canada.
Stark Contrast Compared to Stateside Temperatures
In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced their warmest Christmas Day on record as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. Across wide regions, the atmosphere was more akin to late spring instead of the heart of winter.
Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reached 25 degrees Celsius on Christmas, topping the prior high mark of 22 degrees established over forty years ago. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.
High-Pressure System Drives the Heat
Warmer-than-normal conditions are forecast to last for the remainder of the week and beyond, with abnormal warmth projected to move across the southeastern US in the coming days.
The warmth has been fuelled by a robust atmospheric 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, trapping warm air near the surface. Sinking atmospheric air undergoes compression and additional heating, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.
