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A prolonged deep freeze has enveloped a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with thermometers lingering from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for multiple weeks. This week, the Yukon community of Braeburn saw the mercury drop to -55.7C, its coldest December temperature in half a century.

Enduring Chill in the Deep Minus Forties

In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through over two straight weeks of nights colder than minus 40 degrees, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C on Monday. Whitehorse also recorded 10 nights when readings fell to minus 30 degrees or lower.

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

December 26th was anticipated to usher in readings no higher than -20 Celsius through a wide swath, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Expected to Continue Through Early January

The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon in the coming days, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from record-high energy demand.

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. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north slowly, permitting warmer Pacific winds to flow over the US and into parts of southern Canada.

Dramatic Difference to American Heat

In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced historically high temperatures for Christmas as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May than late December.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

Atmospheric Ridge Sustains High Temperatures

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist for the remainder of the week and beyond, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep into the south-eastern states later in the week.

This heat is being driven by a powerful high-altitude 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. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.