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A prolonged deep freeze has enveloped a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with thermometers lingering in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for multiple weeks. This week, the Yukon community of Braeburn saw the mercury drop to -55.7C, representing its most frigid December day in nearly five decades.

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 Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C on Monday. Whitehorse also recorded 10 nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

The bitter chill extended its reach south during the holiday season. 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, including Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec.

Likely to Linger into the New Year

The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon over the next several days, as the system endures record-high pressure from historically high electricity consumption.

The prolonged chill has been caused by 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 United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.

Dramatic Difference to American Heat

Conversely, sections of America recorded their warmest Christmas Day on record as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May than late December.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reached 25 degrees Celsius on Christmas, exceeding the old record of 22C from 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 through Boxing Day and the days ahead, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep into the south-eastern states later in the week.

The warmth has been fuelled 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, trapping warm air near the surface. Sinking atmospheric air undergoes compression and additional heating, allowing unusually warm temperatures to build.