Prolonged Chill Envelops the Great White North as America Sees Warmest Christmas in History.
An intense cold spell has seized a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with thermometers lingering from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for multiple weeks. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, marking its chilliest December reading since 1975.
Consecutive Nights in the Deep Minus Forties
In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through 16 consecutive nights dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with the temperature in Mayo bottoming out at -50.4 degrees Celsius on Monday. Whitehorse also recorded ten separate nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.
This Arctic air mass pushed further southward during the holiday season. On Christmas Day, overnight temperatures in Edmonton fell below -28C.
Boxing Day was expected to bring minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C in numerous areas, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.
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 soon, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from record-high energy demand.
The lengthy cold snap originates from the Arctic vortex settling above Canadian territory through December, which funnels frigid northern air southward. Next week, the cold air mass is expected to retreat north gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across the US and into parts of southern Canada.
Stark Contrast with US Warmth
Meanwhile, in a dramatic contrast, areas of the United States saw 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 than late December.
A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reached 25 degrees Celsius on Christmas, 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.
High-Pressure System Drives the Heat
Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist on December 26th and into the weekend, with abnormal warmth projected to move through the American Southeast soon.
The warmth has been fuelled by a powerful high-altitude ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, establishing a classic heat-dome pattern. 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.
