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Northern Canada has been gripped by an intense and prolonged cold spell, with readings persisting from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for multiple weeks. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, representing its most frigid December day since 1975.

Consecutive Nights of Extreme Cold

Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured 16 consecutive nights dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo plunging to -50.4C earlier this week. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when temperatures dropped below -30C.

This Arctic air mass pushed further southward through Christmas week. In Edmonton, the Christmas overnight low dipped under -28 degrees Celsius.

Boxing Day was expected to bring readings no higher than -20 Celsius across many regions, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.

Forecast to Persist For Days to Come

This harsh winter weather is expected to continue through the start of January. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages soon, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from peak power usage levels.

The lengthy cold snap originates from the polar vortex remaining anchored above Canadian territory through December, allowing bitter Arctic air to spill south. In the coming week, forecasts indicate this cold air will pull back northward gradually, enabling milder Pacific air to move across the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.

Stark Contrast Compared to Stateside Temperatures

Conversely, sections of America recorded their warmest Christmas Day on record as the mercury climbed roughly 15 to 30 degrees above typical averages. For numerous locations, the weather resembled a spring day in April or May instead of the heart of winter.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, exceeding the old record of 22C from 1982. Cities including Austin and Dallas, in Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

High-Pressure System Drives the Heat

Warmer-than-normal conditions are forecast to last for the remainder of the week and beyond, with abnormal warmth projected to move into the south-eastern states later in the week.

This heat is being driven by a strong upper-level ridge extending from the desert south-west towards the north and east, creating a heat-dome effect. This pattern establishes a broad area of high 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, allowing unusually warm temperatures to build.