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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

Sa
13
21
Su
9
10
Mo
9
9
Tu
8
10
We
9
16
Th
10
20
Fr
10
18
Sa
12
21
Su
12
23
Mo
11
19
Tu
10
19
We
10
18
Th
8
20
Fr
11
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Sa
20
30
Su
19
29
Mo
18
29
Tu
17
29
We
19
24
Th
15
21
Fr
10
19
Sa
11
23
Su
15
26
Mo
19
29
Tu
20
28
We
17
26
Th
15
27
Fr
16
26
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Sa
14
16
Su
10
11
Mo
8
15
Tu
7
13
We
9
19
Th
9
17
Fr
8
25
Sa
14
29
Su
14
28
Mo
14
26
Tu
13
23
We
10
24
Th
10
26
Fr
12
26
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Sa
20
27
Su
16
24
Mo
18
23
Tu
16
27
We
17
28
Th
20
27
Fr
18
26
Sa
16
24
Su
16
27
Mo
20
31
Tu
22
32
We
23
32
Th
22
30
Fr
19
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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