Arctic Blast Tightens Hold on the Great White North as America Sees Warmest Christmas Ever.
An intense cold spell has seized an intense and prolonged cold spell, with thermometers lingering between -20C and -40C for weeks. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, representing its most frigid December day since 1975.
Consecutive Nights in the Deep Minus Forties
Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured 16 consecutive nights colder than minus 40 degrees, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw 10 nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.
The deep freeze spread farther south through Christmas week. On Christmas Day, overnight temperatures in Edmonton fell below -28C.
December 26th was anticipated to usher in lows of at least -20C through a wide swath, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.
Expected to Continue into the New Year
The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. There are warnings of possible electrical grid strain in Yukon territory soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from record-high energy demand.
The prolonged chill has been caused by the Arctic vortex settling across the northern part of the continent this month, which funnels frigid northern air southward. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across America and reach into portions 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 readings skyrocketed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius above normal. In many areas, conditions felt more typical of April or May instead of the heart of winter.
A number of states broke historical records for December 25th warmth. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, 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 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, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system over a large portion of North America, which holds warm air close to the ground. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, enabling abnormally high temperatures to develop.
