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An intense cold spell has seized a severe and lengthy Arctic outbreak, with thermometers lingering between -20C and -40C for an extended duration. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, marking its chilliest December reading 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 experiencing a low of -50.4C on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw ten separate nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

The bitter chill extended its reach south over the festive period. 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, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.

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 record-high energy demand.

This extended freeze is the result of the Arctic vortex settling over Canada for much of December, which funnels frigid northern air southward. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north 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 the mercury climbed roughly 15 to 30 degrees above typical averages. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May instead of the heart of winter.

A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

Atmospheric Ridge Fuels Warmth

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist for the remainder of the week and beyond, with abnormal warmth projected to move through the American Southeast soon.

The warmth has been fuelled by a strong upper-level ridge reaching from the arid southwest across the continent, establishing a classic heat-dome pattern. This pattern establishes a broad area of high pressure 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.