Summary (tl;dr)

Extreme cold warnings are currently in effect across vast swathes of North America, including the Canadian Prairies, the U.S. Midwest, and parts of the East Coast, bringing dangerously low temperatures and wind chills that pose severe risks of frostbite and hypothermia.

Essential Background

The current extreme cold is a result of an early-season arctic blast, characterized by a low-dipping polar vortex that is directing bitter arctic air from Canada southward into the United States. This weather pattern has already led to bitter temperatures and significant snowfall in some regions, particularly the U.S. Midwest, since late November and early December.

The Full Story

As of mid-December 2025, an extensive cold front is impacting a broad region stretching from the Canadian Prairies to the U.S. East Coast. The U.S. Midwest and East Coast are predicted to experience temperatures 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below the December average, with some areas in the Midwest seeing highs in the teens and lows around zero Fahrenheit. In Canada, extreme cold advisories and warnings are widespread, affecting northern Alberta, central and southern Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba, where wind chill values are plummeting to between -40°C and -45°C. U.S. states like Minnesota and Iowa are under cold weather advisories, with wind chills expected to reach as low as -40°F in Minnesota and between -15°F and -35°F across Iowa. Northern Ohio is preparing for widespread snowfall and temperatures below -10°C, while St. Louis, Missouri, is under a cold weather advisory with wind chills potentially reaching -10°F. Various regions in Canada, including Ontario, Northwest Territories, Yukon, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, are also under specific weather alerts ranging from cold weather advisories to blizzard and winter storm warnings. The frigid conditions are expected to persist through early next week in many affected areas.

Why It Matters

These extreme cold warnings are critical because exposure to such low temperatures and wind chills can lead to severe health risks, including frostbite and hypothermia, which can develop within minutes on exposed skin. Authorities in affected regions are urging residents to take essential precautions, such as dressing in multiple layers, limiting outdoor exposure, ensuring pets are brought indoors, and checking on vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors. Furthermore, the severe weather conditions, including significant snowfall and icy roads, are expected to disrupt travel and may lead to the closure of schools and offices in some areas. Warming centers have been made available in several cities to provide safe havens for those without adequate heating or shelter.

Geographic Location

• Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Cold Weather Alert)
• Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (extreme cold advisory)
• Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada (cold warning with wind chills exceeding -40°C)
• La Loche, Saskatchewan, Canada (wind chills dropping to -45°C)
• Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (cold weather alert)
• Brandon, Manitoba, Canada (cold weather alert)
• Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada (up to 25 cm of snow expected)
• Paulatuk, Northwest Territories, Canada (blizzard warnings)
• Tuktoyaktuk-East Channel region, Northwest Territories, Canada (blizzard warnings)
• Dawson, Yukon, Canada (cold weather alerts, wind chill -50°F to -55°F)
• Mayo, Yukon, Canada (cold weather alerts, wind chill -50°F to -55°F)
• Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada (winter storm warnings, snowfall 30-40 cm)
• Terrace, British Columbia, Canada (winter storm warnings, snowfall 30-40 cm)
• Prince George, British Columbia, Canada (freezing rain expected)
• St. Louis, St. Louis City County, Missouri, United States (cold weather advisory, wind chills as low as -10°F)
• Northern Ohio, United States (widespread snowfall and temperatures below -10°C)
• Iowa, United States (Weather Impact Alert Day for extreme cold wind chills -15°F to -35°F)
• Minnesota, United States (cold weather advisories and extreme cold warning for dangerous wind chills)
• Central South Carolina, United States (Cold Weather Advisory, record low temperatures possible)