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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
11
15
Su
7
16
Mo
7
14
Tu
5
21
We
13
21
Th
12
22
Fr
13
21
Sa
12
20
Su
12
22
Mo
13
23
Tu
15
23
We
12
20
Th
10
22
Fr
12
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Winnipeg

Sa
19
26
Su
19
24
Mo
14
19
Tu
9
22
We
13
23
Th
16
23
Fr
18
26
Sa
20
28
Su
16
24
Mo
14
23
Tu
15
25
We
18
27
Th
18
26
Fr
16
27
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Great Falls

Sa
10
18
Su
6
9
Mo
6
19
Tu
6
24
We
9
28
Th
13
23
Fr
13
21
Sa
12
22
Su
12
27
Mo
14
31
Tu
15
32
We
13
28
Th
14
32
Fr
15
30
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Minneapolis

Sa
27
34
Su
27
33
Mo
23
27
Tu
16
24
We
18
23
Th
20
27
Fr
18
26
Sa
22
30
Su
21
29
Mo
20
27
Tu
19
29
We
21
30
Th
23
32
Fr
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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