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    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Extreme cold swing for North America

11:00
17 January 2025

Polar vortex moves south
Extreme cold swing for North America

Temperatures plummet across Canada and parts of the US this weekend as an arctic blast moves through.

Cold Arctic air flows through Canada to the north of the USA at the weekend. Temperatures drop from over 30°C to lows of up to -35°C at the peak on Sunday.

Extreme drops in temperature are not unusual in the region. Arctic air rarely warms on its way south over the large land masses.

Edmonton

Th
12
17
Fr
9
10
Sa
5
11
Su
4
17
Mo
9
12
Tu
5
18
We
5
17
Th
6
21
Fr
6
18
Sa
5
15
Su
7
16
Mo
9
17
Tu
7
16
We
7
15
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Th
11
28
Fr
16
20
Sa
11
14
Su
7
17
Mo
8
15
Tu
9
14
We
6
16
Th
7
17
Fr
6
19
Sa
5
17
Su
8
19
Mo
12
21
Tu
10
19
We
10
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Th
14
28
Fr
10
13
Sa
8
15
Su
7
18
Mo
8
16
Tu
4
21
We
7
17
Th
7
22
Fr
9
23
Sa
10
23
Su
10
19
Mo
9
23
Tu
12
23
We
11
21
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Th
13
28
Fr
19
29
Sa
16
23
Su
13
20
Mo
13
19
Tu
15
17
We
11
20
Th
14
22
Fr
11
20
Sa
11
21
Su
12
23
Mo
15
23
Tu
15
24
We
14
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

In Europe, on the other hand, the mild ocean waters prevent such extreme swings. The polar air warms up as it travels, alleviating the worst of the freeze.

UK weather warnings active
Ryan Hathaway
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