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

Prolonged Freeze Below -40C

Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured over two straight weeks of nights dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with the temperature in Mayo bottoming out at -50.4 degrees Celsius earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw ten separate nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

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

Boxing Day was expected to bring readings no higher than -20 Celsius in numerous areas, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Forecast to Persist Through Early January

The severe cold is forecast to persist through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from peak power usage levels.

The prolonged chill has been caused by the Arctic vortex settling above Canadian territory through December, allowing bitter Arctic air to spill south. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north slowly, permitting warmer Pacific winds to flow over the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.

Dramatic Difference with US Warmth

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 instead of the heart of winter.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, topping the prior high mark of 22 degrees established over forty years ago. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.

Heat-Dome Effect Fuels Warmth

Warmer-than-normal conditions are forecast to last on December 26th and into the weekend, with abnormal warmth projected to move into the south-eastern states later in the week.

The unseasonable temperatures are powered 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 blanketing a significant part of the landmass, which holds warm air close to the ground. Descending air compresses and adiabatically warms, enabling abnormally high temperatures to develop.