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A prolonged deep freeze has enveloped a bitter and extended period of frigid weather, with readings persisting in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range for multiple weeks. On Tuesday, Braeburn in the Yukon recorded -55.7C, representing its most frigid December day in nearly five decades.

Enduring Chill of Extreme Cold

Similarly, the communities of Mayo and Dawson experienced over two straight weeks of nights dipping under the minus 40 Celsius threshold, with Mayo experiencing a low of -50.4C earlier this week. Whitehorse similarly reported ten separate nights when the cold dipped under -30 Celsius.

The bitter chill extended its reach south during the holiday season. On Christmas Day, overnight temperatures in Edmonton fell below -28C.

Boxing Day was expected to bring minimum temperatures of at least minus 20C across many regions, encompassing cities from Edmonton to Quebec.

Forecast to Persist For Days to Come

The severe cold is forecast to persist into the new year. Officials have warned that the Yukon could face electricity outages over the next several days, as its energy infrastructure faces unprecedented demand from historically high electricity consumption.

This extended freeze is the result of the Arctic vortex settling across the northern part of the continent this month, 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 America and reach into portions of southern Canada.

Pronounced Disparity Compared to Stateside Temperatures

Conversely, sections of America recorded 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.

Several states set Christmas Day temperature records. In Oklahoma, Oklahoma City hit 25C on Tuesday, topping the prior high mark of 22 degrees established over forty years ago. Urban centers like Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte, North Carolina were also among those that recorded temperatures above 25C.

Atmospheric Ridge Drives the Heat

Unseasonable heat is predicted to persist through Boxing Day and the days ahead, with unseasonable heat forecast to sweep across the southeastern US in the coming days.

This heat is being driven by a robust atmospheric ridge extending from the desert south-west towards the north and east, creating a heat-dome effect. Such a configuration results in a widespread high-pressure system across much of the continent, which holds warm air close to the ground. As air sinks through the atmosphere, it compresses and heats further, fostering the buildup of exceptional warmth.