Heavy snow and blizzards also in the forecast.
Temperatures across much of the northern and eastern US are plunging to “dangerously cold” levels, the National Weather Service says.
Wind-chill temperatures are forecast to drop as low as -50F (-45C) in Minnesota.
The freeze has led to the closure or late running of schools from north to south, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, even as far south as Alabama.
Winter weather warnings have been issued for 17 US states and for Ontario and southern Quebec.
Too cool for school as arctic air sends the mercury plunging – Juno
In other developments:
- heavy snow and blizzards forecast in North and South Dakota
- temperatures will plunge to -44F (-42C) in Fargo, North Dakota
- schools are closed in Chicago, where temperatures dropped to -28F (-33C)
- a storm dumped about a foot (30cm) of snow in northern New York
- another foot of “lake-effect” snow is expected in parts of New York state over the next two days
Meanwhile in California, a winter heat wave has temperatures topping 80F (27C).
See photos:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30716563
Thanks to Dean Koehler for these links