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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

We
11
22
Th
14
24
Fr
16
26
Sa
18
27
Su
12
14
Mo
9
20
Tu
10
18
We
13
21
Th
13
21
Fr
12
21
Sa
15
23
Su
13
21
Mo
13
21
Tu
12
21
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

We
22
33
Th
23
27
Fr
16
28
Sa
17
28
Su
21
34
Mo
20
25
Tu
15
28
We
16
27
Th
18
31
Fr
17
25
Sa
14
30
Su
17
28
Mo
18
29
Tu
18
28
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

We
14
33
Th
15
35
Fr
17
36
Sa
17
39
Su
20
28
Mo
11
23
Tu
12
30
We
14
34
Th
15
33
Fr
15
35
Sa
16
36
Su
17
35
Mo
15
32
Tu
15
32
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

We
22
33
Th
24
32
Fr
21
24
Sa
19
29
Su
20
29
Mo
20
29
Tu
22
30
We
21
33
Th
20
33
Fr
20
30
Sa
21
31
Su
19
33
Mo
23
33
Tu
25
37
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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