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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
14
21
Sa
13
20
Su
11
19
Mo
9
22
Tu
15
26
We
17
24
Th
11
19
Fr
9
17
Sa
10
19
Su
9
17
Mo
10
19
Tu
10
20
We
12
21
Th
13
24
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Fr
15
23
Sa
19
24
Su
18
30
Mo
21
27
Tu
17
25
We
17
22
Th
18
26
Fr
17
25
Sa
15
24
Su
15
25
Mo
18
26
Tu
16
25
We
16
25
Th
16
25
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Fr
13
26
Sa
12
30
Su
11
29
Mo
12
27
Tu
16
26
We
13
31
Th
14
27
Fr
11
29
Sa
13
32
Su
13
31
Mo
12
31
Tu
15
29
We
15
27
Th
14
32
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Fr
21
28
Sa
20
26
Su
18
27
Mo
19
29
Tu
21
30
We
23
31
Th
20
28
Fr
20
29
Sa
21
29
Su
21
30
Mo
21
32
Tu
22
31
We
22
34
Th
23
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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