This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25609411
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 10 | Version 11 |
---|---|
N America weather: Polar vortex brings record temperatures | N America weather: Polar vortex brings record temperatures |
(35 minutes later) | |
Parts of the US are braced for potentially record-breaking low temperatures as a "polar vortex" brings more freezing weather. | Parts of the US are braced for potentially record-breaking low temperatures as a "polar vortex" brings more freezing weather. |
A winter storm has already blanketed areas of Canada and the north-eastern US with up to 2ft (60 cm) of snow. | A winter storm has already blanketed areas of Canada and the north-eastern US with up to 2ft (60 cm) of snow. |
It has been blamed for 16 deaths in recent days and the cancellation of some 3,700 flights. | |
Schools have been closed in several US states and residents urged to stay indoors for their own safety. | Schools have been closed in several US states and residents urged to stay indoors for their own safety. |
In developments across the region: | In developments across the region: |
'Bitterly cold' | 'Bitterly cold' |
Temperatures in the north and central US could feel as low as -51C (-60F) with the effect of wind chill, forecasters say. | Temperatures in the north and central US could feel as low as -51C (-60F) with the effect of wind chill, forecasters say. |
The plunging temperatures result from the polar vortex, an anti-clockwise pool of cold, dense air. | The plunging temperatures result from the polar vortex, an anti-clockwise pool of cold, dense air. |
The vortex has been very strong, with the cold air locked in to Arctic Canada for a long time. Stuck in one place, the air has got colder and colder. | The vortex has been very strong, with the cold air locked in to Arctic Canada for a long time. Stuck in one place, the air has got colder and colder. |
Cold air is dense so once it is released it travels a long way and that is why it is penetrating so far southwards, John Hammond from the BBC Weather Centre says. | Cold air is dense so once it is released it travels a long way and that is why it is penetrating so far southwards, John Hammond from the BBC Weather Centre says. |
"The coldest weather in years will be making its presence known from the Upper Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region for the beginning of the work week," the US National Weather Service said in a statement. | "The coldest weather in years will be making its presence known from the Upper Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region for the beginning of the work week," the US National Weather Service said in a statement. |
The states of Ohio, South Dakota and Illinois are among those set to be hit. Tennessee and Kentucky are forecast to see several inches of snow. | The states of Ohio, South Dakota and Illinois are among those set to be hit. Tennessee and Kentucky are forecast to see several inches of snow. |
The weather service said "an incredibly strong surge of bitterly cold Arctic air" was sweeping across the country until Tuesday. | The weather service said "an incredibly strong surge of bitterly cold Arctic air" was sweeping across the country until Tuesday. |
It is set to continue to the north-east, where residents are still digging out from the week's deadly snowstorm. | It is set to continue to the north-east, where residents are still digging out from the week's deadly snowstorm. |
It could bring some of the coldest temperatures in two decades. | It could bring some of the coldest temperatures in two decades. |
"The last really big Arctic outbreak was 1994," Reuters news agency quoted Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, as saying. | "The last really big Arctic outbreak was 1994," Reuters news agency quoted Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, as saying. |
"Outbreaks like this don't occur every day." | "Outbreaks like this don't occur every day." |
In Canada, the temperature dropped as low as -29C (-20F) in Toronto and -38C (-36F) in Quebec City with wind chill on Thursday - the lowest seen in at least two decades there. | In Canada, the temperature dropped as low as -29C (-20F) in Toronto and -38C (-36F) in Quebec City with wind chill on Thursday - the lowest seen in at least two decades there. |
Bill Brant, who lives in the south-east of the Canadian province of Manitoba, emailed the BBC to say that temperatures there are -30C (-22F) and under, with wind chills as low as -51C (-60F). | Bill Brant, who lives in the south-east of the Canadian province of Manitoba, emailed the BBC to say that temperatures there are -30C (-22F) and under, with wind chills as low as -51C (-60F). |
"We have experienced winters like this from time to time, but this one is quite brutal with much snowfall to match to cold," he says. | "We have experienced winters like this from time to time, but this one is quite brutal with much snowfall to match to cold," he says. |
Heavy snow has also affected US states including New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Boston was said to be the worst hit with nearly 18in (45cm) of snow. | Heavy snow has also affected US states including New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Boston was said to be the worst hit with nearly 18in (45cm) of snow. |
Over the weekend, some 3,700 flights were cancelled and the disruption is still being felt by many. | Over the weekend, some 3,700 flights were cancelled and the disruption is still being felt by many. |
Briton Spencer Bailey has been stuck in Newark International Airport for more than 19 hours. | Briton Spencer Bailey has been stuck in Newark International Airport for more than 19 hours. |
"United Airlines cancelled our flight to London Heathrow on account of the weather at 01:30. No hotels, no food, no water, kids in tears and sleeping on cold floors, no blankets being handed out, bitterly cold outside. It's a disgrace," he told the BBC. | "United Airlines cancelled our flight to London Heathrow on account of the weather at 01:30. No hotels, no food, no water, kids in tears and sleeping on cold floors, no blankets being handed out, bitterly cold outside. It's a disgrace," he told the BBC. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |