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Northern Canada has been gripped by an intense and prolonged cold spell, with readings persisting between -20C and -40C for multiple weeks. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, marking its chilliest December reading since 1975.

Enduring Chill of Extreme Cold

Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured sixteen nights in a row dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C on Monday. Whitehorse similarly reported 10 nights when readings fell to minus 30 degrees or lower.

The bitter chill extended its reach south through Christmas week. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

December 26th was anticipated to usher in lows of at least -20C in numerous areas, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Likely to Linger For Days to Come

The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. There are warnings of possible electrical grid strain in Yukon territory soon, as the system endures record-high pressure from peak power usage levels.

This extended freeze is the result of the polar vortex remaining anchored above Canadian territory through December, which funnels frigid northern air southward. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.

Stark Contrast with US Warmth

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

A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.

Heat-Dome Effect Sustains High Temperatures

Above-average warmth is expected to continue on December 26th and into the weekend, with abnormal warmth projected to move across the southeastern US in the coming days.

The unseasonable temperatures are powered by a strong upper-level ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, creating a heat-dome effect. This setup creates an extensive zone of high atmospheric pressure across much of the continent, which holds warm air close to the ground. Descending air compresses and adiabatically warms, allowing unusually warm temperatures to build.