Prolonged Chill Tightens Hold on the Great White North as America Sees Most Unseasonably Mild Christmas on Record.
An intense cold spell has seized a severe and lengthy Arctic outbreak, with readings persisting in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for weeks. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, 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 below -40C, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw ten separate nights when readings fell to minus 30 degrees or lower.
This Arctic air mass pushed further southward through Christmas week. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.
December 26th was anticipated to usher in readings no higher than -20 Celsius in numerous areas, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.
Forecast to Persist into the New Year
The severe cold is forecast to persist through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages over the next several days, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from record-high energy demand.
This extended freeze is the result of the polar vortex remaining anchored over Canada for much of December, allowing bitter Arctic air to spill south. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north slowly, permitting warmer Pacific winds to flow over the US and into parts of southern Canada.
Pronounced Disparity Compared to Stateside Temperatures
In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced the hottest December 25th in their history as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May rather than the end of December.
A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.
High-Pressure System Fuels Warmth
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.
This heat is being driven by a powerful high-altitude ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, establishing a classic heat-dome pattern. This setup creates an extensive zone of high atmospheric pressure across much of the continent, which holds warm air close to the ground. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.
