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N America weather: Polar vortex brings record temperatures N America weather: Polar vortex brings record temperatures
(about 1 hour 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 over the weekend.It has been blamed for 16 deaths in recent days and the cancellation of some 3,700 flights over the weekend.
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:
'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).
"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.
Schools have also been closed across the state of Minnesota for Monday, as well as for parts of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, among others. Over the weekend, some 3,700 flights were cancelled and the disruption is still being felt by many.
In other developments across the region: 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.
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