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An intense cold spell has seized an intense and prolonged cold spell, with thermometers lingering in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for weeks. This week, the Yukon community of Braeburn saw the mercury drop to -55.7C, representing its most frigid December day in half a century.

Enduring Chill Below -40C

Similarly, the communities of Mayo and Dawson experienced over two straight weeks of nights below -40C, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when readings fell to minus 30 degrees or lower.

The bitter chill extended its reach south over the festive period. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in lows of at least -20C through a wide swath, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Likely to Linger For Days to Come

The frigid conditions are predicted to linger through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from record-high energy demand.

The prolonged chill has been caused by the polar vortex remaining anchored across the northern part of the continent this month, 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 America and reach into portions of southern Canada.

Dramatic Difference to American Heat

Conversely, sections of America recorded the hottest December 25th in their history as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May than late December.

Multiple states established new Christmas temperature highs. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

Atmospheric Ridge Drives the Heat

Above-average warmth is expected to continue through Boxing Day and the days ahead, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep through the American Southeast soon.

The warmth has been fuelled by a robust atmospheric ridge extending from the desert south-west towards the north and east, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. This pattern establishes a broad area of high pressure blanketing a significant part of the landmass, trapping warm air near the surface. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.