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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
11
19
Mo
9
22
Tu
14
26
We
18
25
Th
11
24
Fr
15
24
Sa
14
22
Su
12
21
Mo
12
24
Tu
15
23
We
13
21
Th
11
20
Fr
11
21
Sa
13
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Su
19
31
Mo
21
26
Tu
15
26
We
16
26
Th
15
26
Fr
18
26
Sa
15
27
Su
16
25
Mo
17
25
Tu
14
26
We
17
27
Th
18
25
Fr
14
22
Sa
13
24
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Su
12
29
Mo
12
25
Tu
14
28
We
13
32
Th
13
29
Fr
14
31
Sa
16
34
Su
16
32
Mo
17
34
Tu
18
37
We
19
33
Th
15
30
Fr
14
30
Sa
15
31
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Su
19
30
Mo
21
31
Tu
22
32
We
24
30
Th
20
29
Fr
20
30
Sa
19
29
Su
19
30
Mo
21
29
Tu
18
28
We
19
30
Th
22
30
Fr
21
29
Sa
18
27
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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