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A prolonged deep freeze has enveloped a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with readings persisting from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for 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.

Prolonged Freeze of Extreme Cold

Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured sixteen nights in a row below -40C, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw 10 nights when readings fell to minus 30 degrees or lower.

This Arctic air mass pushed further southward over the festive period. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C through a wide swath, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.

Expected to Continue Through Early January

The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. There are warnings of possible electrical grid strain in Yukon territory in the coming days, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from peak power usage levels.

This extended freeze is the result of the polar vortex remaining anchored 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 America and reach into portions of southern Canada.

Dramatic Difference with US Warmth

Meanwhile, in a dramatic contrast, areas of the United States saw their warmest Christmas Day on record as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May than late December.

Multiple states established new Christmas temperature highs. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reached 25 degrees Celsius on Christmas, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.

Heat-Dome Effect Drives the Heat

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist for the remainder of the week and beyond, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep through the American Southeast soon.

This heat is being driven 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, effectively capping warm air at lower altitudes. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.