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For many major cities across Canada, this winter could be described as mild but, that did not stop the frozen season from hitting hard. In the weeks following Christmas, the country faced dipping temperatures and extreme cold weather alerts from Environment Canada. Cities across the nation were caught with forecasts announcing highs in the range of -20 to -30 degrees Celsius. In comparison to some of the worlds chilliest places, the numbers are staggering.
Antarctica may be enjoying the summer season but, that does not change the fact that it is an inhabitable frozen dessert. Temperatures recorded at the Amundsen-Scott Weather Station were hitting numbers as high as -16 C. Meanwhile in Canada, cities like Toronto and Winnipeg were scraping off car windows in -19 C weather.
Oymyakon, Russia is on average the coldest inhabited year-round community with temperatures that regularly dive below -50 C this time of year. During Canada’s cold spell cities were falling below -30 C, like in Saskatoon (-32 C), Yellowknife (-36 C), and Churchill, Manitoba where the mercury hit -38 C, -49 C with a wind chill, while Oymyakon was enjoying a comfortable -29 C.
While Canadians were trying to stay warm, even the Curiosity Rover on Mars was enjoying better temperatures. Sitting in the Gale Crater on the desolate planet a daily high was recorded of -23 C. That may sound like an enjoyable break for many Canadians this winter but, weather on Mars on average will hit -80 C.