Polar vortex plunges U.S. into record-breaking deep freeze
Over 120 million Americans will face extreme cold, with temperatures potentially reaching minus 40 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists warn that it will be colder than in Greenland.
Due to the frigid weather, Monday's inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump as president has been moved to the Capitol Rotunda. Initially scheduled to be held outdoors, the ceremony has been moved indoors. It is predicted that the temperature will drop to minus 4 degrees Celsius, with the wind chill making it feel like minus 13 degrees Celsius.
Extreme conditions in many states
According to the "Washington Post," about 30 states and almost 50 million people may experience temperatures below minus 23 degrees Celsius. The frost will begin this weekend and last through most of next week. The polar vortex will also bring snow and slippery roads to the Midwest and Northeastern regions of the United States.
Temperature drops ranging from minus 29 to minus 34 degrees Celsius threaten residents of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This could lead to frostbite within 10-20 minutes on exposed skin. Areas from Illinois to Maine will experience temperatures ranging from minus 18 to minus 29 degrees Celsius.
Colder than Greenland
Record low temperatures are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday morning in places like Pittsburgh, Morgantown, and Binghamton. On Monday, taking into account the wind chill, the temperature may feel like minus 40 degrees Celsius in North Dakota and northern Minnesota. Next week, it will be colder in the United States than in Nuuk, Greenland.
