Deep Freeze Grips the Great White North as US Records Hottest Christmas in History.
An intense cold spell has seized a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with temperatures hovering from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for an extended duration. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, marking its chilliest December reading in nearly five decades.
Consecutive Nights Below -40C
In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through sixteen nights in a row dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C at the start of the week. 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.
The day after Christmas was forecast to deliver lows of at least -20C through a wide swath, including Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec.
Likely to Linger into the New Year
The frigid conditions are predicted to linger through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages over the next several days, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from peak power usage levels.
The lengthy cold snap originates from the polar vortex remaining anchored across the northern part of the continent this month, which funnels frigid northern air southward. 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.
Stark Contrast to American Heat
In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced the hottest December 25th in their history as readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. Across wide regions, the atmosphere was more akin to late spring than late December.
A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina similarly saw thermometers rise past the 25C mark.
High-Pressure System Sustains High Temperatures
Above-average warmth is expected to continue for the remainder of the week and beyond, with atypical high temperatures expected to spread through the American Southeast soon.
The unseasonable temperatures are powered by a powerful high-altitude ridge reaching from the arid southwest across the continent, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system blanketing a significant part of the landmass, 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.
