Prolonged Chill Grips the Great White North as US Records Warmest Christmas in History.
An intense cold spell has seized a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with thermometers lingering from 20 to 40 degrees below zero for an extended duration. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, its coldest December temperature since 1975.
Enduring Chill in the Deep Minus Forties
In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through sixteen nights in a row below -40C, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C earlier this week. Whitehorse also recorded 10 nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.
The deep freeze spread farther south over the festive period. In Edmonton, the Christmas overnight low dipped under -28 degrees Celsius.
Boxing Day was expected to bring minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C in numerous areas, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.
Expected to Continue into the New Year
The frigid conditions are predicted to linger into the new year. There are warnings of possible electrical grid strain in Yukon territory over the next several days, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from historically high electricity consumption.
The lengthy cold snap originates from the Arctic vortex settling over Canada for much of December, which funnels frigid northern air southward. In the coming week, forecasts indicate this cold air will pull back northward allowing more temperate air from the Pacific to sweep across the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.
Pronounced Disparity with US Warmth
Meanwhile, in a dramatic contrast, areas of the United States saw 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 than late December.
Multiple states established new Christmas temperature highs. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina also logged readings above 25 degrees Celsius.
High-Pressure System Fuels Warmth
Warmer-than-normal conditions are forecast to last on December 26th and into the weekend, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep into the south-eastern states later in the week.
This heat is being driven by a powerful high-altitude ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, creating a heat-dome effect. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system blanketing a significant part of the landmass, effectively capping warm air at lower altitudes. Sinking atmospheric air undergoes compression and additional heating, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.
