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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
13
25
Mo
15
24
Tu
15
26
We
12
22
Th
14
23
Fr
17
27
Sa
16
24
Su
13
21
Mo
11
19
Tu
12
21
We
13
21
Th
12
20
Fr
11
20
Sa
11
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Su
20
29
Mo
18
29
Tu
20
30
We
20
31
Th
23
29
Fr
19
29
Sa
16
29
Su
19
35
Mo
20
28
Tu
17
26
We
13
28
Th
17
32
Fr
20
30
Sa
16
30
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Su
15
35
Mo
16
34
Tu
16
35
We
16
33
Th
15
36
Fr
16
37
Sa
19
40
Su
18
34
Mo
15
31
Tu
14
35
We
16
35
Th
15
32
Fr
12
32
Sa
14
32
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Su
23
34
Mo
22
31
Tu
22
32
We
23
34
Th
23
33
Fr
22
30
Sa
21
31
Su
22
36
Mo
24
38
Tu
24
35
We
20
36
Th
22
39
Fr
25
40
Sa
26
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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