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Northern Canada has been gripped by a severe and lengthy Arctic outbreak, with temperatures hovering between -20C and -40C for weeks. A reading of -55.7 Celsius was logged in Braeburn, Yukon, on Tuesday, marking its chilliest December reading since 1975.

Prolonged Freeze Below -40C

Meanwhile, Mayo and Dawson endured sixteen nights in a row colder than minus 40 degrees, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw a series of ten nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

The deep freeze spread farther south over the festive period. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.

Boxing Day was expected to bring minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C across many regions, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.

Forecast to Persist 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 in the coming days, as the territory’s power grid comes under strain from record-high energy demand.

The lengthy cold snap originates from a stationary polar vortex over Canada for much of December, allowing bitter Arctic air to spill south. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north allowing more temperate air from the Pacific to sweep across America and reach into portions of southern Canada.

Pronounced Disparity Compared to Stateside Temperatures

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. Across wide regions, the atmosphere was more akin to late spring rather than the end of December.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. The capital of Oklahoma soared to 25C on Christmas Day, surpassing the previous peak of 22C set in 1982. Metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

High-Pressure System Fuels Warmth

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist through Boxing Day and the days ahead, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep through the American Southeast soon.

The unseasonable temperatures are powered by a powerful high-altitude ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, which generates a heat-dome phenomenon. This pattern establishes a broad area of high pressure over a large portion of North America, trapping warm air near the surface. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, allowing unusually warm temperatures to build.