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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

Su
14
21
Mo
15
25
Tu
14
23
We
15
22
Th
14
22
Fr
14
21
Sa
11
21
Su
12
20
Mo
11
20
Tu
13
22
We
14
24
Th
14
22
Fr
12
20
Sa
12
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Su
17
26
Mo
19
25
Tu
18
21
We
17
25
Th
18
25
Fr
17
27
Sa
19
28
Su
21
29
Mo
18
26
Tu
18
27
We
19
28
Th
18
26
Fr
18
26
Sa
15
24
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Su
12
17
Mo
10
14
Tu
12
23
We
12
22
Th
11
24
Fr
9
24
Sa
12
23
Su
12
29
Mo
14
32
Tu
15
31
We
16
29
Th
14
29
Fr
14
30
Sa
14
30
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Su
19
27
Mo
22
33
Tu
23
34
We
20
28
Th
21
31
Fr
21
30
Sa
21
29
Su
23
31
Mo
21
30
Tu
23
33
We
22
33
Th
22
31
Fr
20
30
Sa
21
32
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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