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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

Fr
16
30
Sa
17
27
Su
15
26
Mo
15
22
Tu
14
26
We
13
22
Th
13
24
Fr
16
25
Sa
15
24
Su
14
20
Mo
10
18
Tu
11
19
We
12
20
Th
13
21
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Fr
21
30
Sa
18
31
Su
21
31
Mo
20
28
Tu
20
29
We
19
32
Th
22
32
Fr
17
29
Sa
18
31
Su
18
32
Mo
21
28
Tu
15
23
We
11
24
Th
12
26
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Fr
19
37
Sa
17
39
Su
17
35
Mo
15
33
Tu
15
35
We
17
35
Th
19
36
Fr
20
38
Sa
19
37
Su
17
32
Mo
12
27
Tu
11
28
We
12
34
Th
15
31
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Fr
19
26
Sa
22
34
Su
26
35
Mo
22
35
Tu
22
33
We
23
36
Th
24
36
Fr
25
35
Sa
23
33
Su
21
34
Mo
22
36
Tu
22
33
We
18
30
Th
18
31
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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