Deep Freeze Grips the Great White North as United States Experiences Warmest Christmas on Record.
An intense cold spell has seized a severe and lengthy Arctic outbreak, with readings persisting between -20C and -40C for weeks. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, marking its chilliest December reading since 1975.
Enduring Chill in the Deep Minus Forties
In addition, the locales of Mayo and Dawson suffered through 16 consecutive nights dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C on Monday. The capital, Whitehorse, likewise saw ten separate nights when temperatures dropped below -30C.
The deep freeze spread farther south through Christmas week. Christmas night saw Edmonton's temperatures plummet below minus 28C.
Boxing Day was expected to bring minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C in numerous areas, from Edmonton in the west to Quebec in the east.
Likely to Linger Through Early January
The severe cold is forecast to persist for the foreseeable future. Authorities have cautioned about potential power failures in the Yukon in the coming days, as the system endures record-high pressure from record-high energy demand.
The prolonged chill has been caused by the Arctic vortex settling over Canada for much of December, enabling a surge of icy Arctic winds to descend. The frigid dome is projected to gradually withdraw north allowing more temperate air from the Pacific to sweep across the United States and penetrate southern Canadian regions.
Stark Contrast to American Heat
In stark contrast, parts of the US experienced historically high temperatures for Christmas as temperatures soared about 15-30C above the seasonal average. 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. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.
Heat-Dome Effect Drives the Heat
Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist on December 26th and into the weekend, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep through the American Southeast soon.
This heat is being driven by a robust atmospheric ridge stretching from the southwestern deserts northward and eastward, creating a heat-dome effect. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system over a large portion of North America, effectively capping warm air at lower altitudes. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.
