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-25632586

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
North America arctic blast arrives in the east North America arctic blast arrives in the east
(about 3 hours later)
A brutal blast of arctic air has settled over eastern North America, bringing dangerously low temperatures not seen in decades.A brutal blast of arctic air has settled over eastern North America, bringing dangerously low temperatures not seen in decades.
About half of the US population has been placed under a wind chill warning or cold weather advisory.About half of the US population has been placed under a wind chill warning or cold weather advisory.
In Toronto, the temperature dropped to -24C (-11F) before dawn on Tuesday.In Toronto, the temperature dropped to -24C (-11F) before dawn on Tuesday.
Air, rail and road travel remain snarled by high, freezing wind, and residents have been warned to stay indoors to avoid frostbite.Air, rail and road travel remain snarled by high, freezing wind, and residents have been warned to stay indoors to avoid frostbite.
Cold air broke records in Chicago on Monday, where the temperature of -16F (-27C) was the lowest ever seen on that date.Cold air broke records in Chicago on Monday, where the temperature of -16F (-27C) was the lowest ever seen on that date.
It was one of more than 120 daily temperature records broken in cities across the US since the beginning of 2014, many dating back decades.It was one of more than 120 daily temperature records broken in cities across the US since the beginning of 2014, many dating back decades.
Sharp temperature dropSharp temperature drop
The arrival late on Monday of the arctic weather pattern caused temperatures to plummet overnight in New York and Washington DC by as much as 45 degrees in a matter of hours, from unseasonably warm highs a day earlier.The arrival late on Monday of the arctic weather pattern caused temperatures to plummet overnight in New York and Washington DC by as much as 45 degrees in a matter of hours, from unseasonably warm highs a day earlier.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo closed parts of major highways across his state in preparation for the extreme weather.New York Governor Andrew Cuomo closed parts of major highways across his state in preparation for the extreme weather.
Adding to the misery, forecasters say the areas on the eastern shores of the Great Lakes could again be blanketed by snow, as the cold air moved over the water.Adding to the misery, forecasters say the areas on the eastern shores of the Great Lakes could again be blanketed by snow, as the cold air moved over the water.
In Canada, 4,000 residents of Quebec and 1,000 in Newfoundland were still without power on Tuesday amid the freezing temperatures and snow.In Canada, 4,000 residents of Quebec and 1,000 in Newfoundland were still without power on Tuesday amid the freezing temperatures and snow.
The polar blast was threatening crops and livestock across the American farm belt, even in the usually temperate Deep South. The freeze was expected to reach as far south as Texas and central Florida, the National Weather Service said.The polar blast was threatening crops and livestock across the American farm belt, even in the usually temperate Deep South. The freeze was expected to reach as far south as Texas and central Florida, the National Weather Service said.
Meteorologists said some 187 million people in all would feel the effects of the cold by Tuesday.Meteorologists said some 187 million people in all would feel the effects of the cold by Tuesday.
Transport troubleTransport trouble
The cold temperatures have been widely blamed on a shift in the weather pattern known as the "polar vortex", creating some extreme temperatures.The cold temperatures have been widely blamed on a shift in the weather pattern known as the "polar vortex", creating some extreme temperatures.
The freezing, gusty winds have already forced the cancellation of 2,300 flights on Tuesday and have also caused widespread road and rail delays. The freezing, gusty winds have already forced the cancellation of 2,500 flights on Tuesday and have also caused widespread road and rail delays.
JetBlue Airways suspended nearly all operations at airports in Boston and around New York City on Monday, but hoped to be "100% operational" by 15:00 eastern US time (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday. JetBlue Airways operations, which had been suspended at airports in Boston and around New York City, were returning to normal.
Toronto's Pearson Airport was at a full ground stop until 09:00 local time (14:00 GMT) with passengers waiting in lines and in planes on tarmacs for several hours, the CBC reported.
More than 500 passengers on their way to Chicago were stuck overnight in northern Illinois on three Amtrak passenger trains after drifting snow and ice covered the tracks.More than 500 passengers on their way to Chicago were stuck overnight in northern Illinois on three Amtrak passenger trains after drifting snow and ice covered the tracks.
Train officials said it was safer to keep passengers on board with heat and food than attempt to transfer them to buses in the freezing temperatures and deep snow. And in Indianapolis, Indiana it has temporarily been made illegal to drive except in an emergency or to seek shelter, in order to keep the roads free for emergency vehicles.
The stuck trains were unloaded on Tuesday morning, with passengers expected to take buses back to Chicago. Cold temperatures reached deep into the US south-east.
In Illinois, the National Guard used 10-tonne military vehicles to clear up after several lorries slid off the road, stranding nearly 400 vehicles. There were no fatalities or injuries reported in those incidents.
Indiana state government employees were told to stay home and in the state capitol of Indianapolis, it has temporarily been made illegal to drive except in an emergency or to seek shelter, in order to keep the roads free for emergency vehicles.
The weather has been blamed for at least 16 deaths in recent days, including:The weather has been blamed for at least 16 deaths in recent days, including:
The state of Minnesota and the city of Chicago, Illinois, have ordered all schools closed.The state of Minnesota and the city of Chicago, Illinois, have ordered all schools closed.
It was so cold that even the polar bear at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo was kept indoors, CNN reports.It was so cold that even the polar bear at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo was kept indoors, CNN reports.
And in Kentucky, a man who escaped from a minimum security prison turned himself in to get out of the cold, the Associated Press reported. In Kentucky, an inmate who escaped a minimum security prison turned himself in to get out of the cold, the Associated Press reported.
Some relief was in sight in the Midwest, as the cold air pattern moved eastward, the National Weather Service said.Some relief was in sight in the Midwest, as the cold air pattern moved eastward, the National Weather Service said.
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 conditionsRead the terms and conditions