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An intense cold spell has seized an intense and prolonged cold spell, with thermometers lingering from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for multiple weeks. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, representing its most frigid December day since 1975.

Consecutive Nights in the Deep Minus Forties

In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through sixteen nights in a row below -40C, with the temperature in Mayo bottoming out at -50.4 degrees Celsius earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when temperatures dropped below -30C.

This Arctic air mass pushed further southward through Christmas week. On Christmas Day, overnight temperatures in Edmonton fell below -28C.

The day after Christmas was forecast to deliver lows of at least -20C in numerous areas, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.

Forecast to Persist For Days to Come

The severe cold is forecast to persist through the start of January. There are warnings of possible electrical grid strain in Yukon territory soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from historically high electricity consumption.

This extended freeze is the result of the Arctic vortex settling over Canada for much of December, which funnels frigid northern air southward. In the coming week, forecasts indicate this cold air will pull back northward gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across the US and into parts of southern Canada.

Pronounced Disparity Compared to Stateside Temperatures

Meanwhile, in a dramatic contrast, areas of the United States saw their warmest Christmas Day on record as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May instead of the heart of winter.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.

Atmospheric Ridge Sustains High Temperatures

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist through Boxing Day and the days ahead, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep through the American Southeast soon.

This heat is being driven by a robust atmospheric ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. This pattern establishes a broad area of high pressure blanketing a significant part of the landmass, which holds warm air close to the ground. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, enabling abnormally high temperatures to develop.