Many parts of the United States, especially on the northern side, are experiencing extreme cold conditions with the minimum temperatures breaking all records of low. The conditions are being attributed to the polar vortex, which is essentially a band of strong winds in the atmosphere around the North Pole. Higher than usual temperatures in the Arctic region have forced these bitterly cold winds to travel south, affecting the temperatures in the US and Canada. Many people are sharing their experience by posting polar vortex photos on social media. Some of these polar vortex videos will chill you to the bones.
While hospitals have reported hundreds of cold-related cases, the official polar vortex death toll has gone up to at least 21 at last count, according to reports. NASA Earth Observatory report, which quotes National Weather Service, says as many as 90 million Americans could experience temperatures at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18° Celsius).
Here are 10 most chilling polar vortex photos and videos
1. Frozen: Part II?
It’s scary in Chicago. The Chicago River surface is all frozen.
Ice Breaker. #Chiberia #PolarVortex #Chicagoweather pic.twitter.com/nVXInLyFOA
— Eric Reagan (@ericreagan) January 30, 2019
2. A perfect 10
They are not wet pants, they are frozen pants. In this video, a stiff pair of jeans makes a perfect landing after a couple of somersaults. Check it out.
Hey Polar Vortex, you may freeze my @JusticeForGirl pants but you’ll never kill their style #FrozenJustice #SisterhoodOfTheFrozenPants #PolarVortex #MNnice #BoldNorth #Negative50 #WinterFun #PerfectLanding pic.twitter.com/7s9Lro7Lpx
— Danika Brinda (@DanikaBrinda) January 31, 2019
In Minnesota, which is colder than Antarctica at the moment, residents are taking part in a ‘frozen pants’ challenge.
3. Hair raising experience
This woman found her hair breaking all laws of gravity. When it was minus 20 degrees in Iowa, Taylor Scallon’s wet hair froze, and stood up straight. She posted a video on Twitter.
“Is Iowa really THAT cold?” pic.twitter.com/htxSZzy2QB
— Taylor Scallon (@taylor_scallon) January 31, 2019
4. Time for an iced coffee break?
Some people are finding humour in this photograph shared from the New York City.
A New Yorker in the snow this afternoon carrying what seems like … iced coffee? #OnlyInNYC #BundleUpNYC pic.twitter.com/mKXILsECny
— City of New York (@nycgov) January 31, 2019
5. And this happened too
Yes, you got it right, and its Minnesota again. This is a toilet tank, that froze and exploded.
Someone in Minnesota had their toilet tank explode because the water inside froze 😬 pic.twitter.com/fCBLjDwChx
— mistress misandry (@hannahtraining) January 31, 2019
6. Frozen spirits
This family found their vodka frozen. As Twitter user from Chicago, Kathleen Dieman, points out, the freezing point for vodka is minus 16 degrees.
#chiberia #PolarVortex2019 update, got so cold last night that our #svedkavodka froze! For reference the freezing point for vodka is -16 #coldscience #science pic.twitter.com/ITe0QgJRC9
— Kathleen Dieman (@KKrilanovichCRE) January 31, 2019
7. Pole position
Believe it or not, this streetlight pole in Cadillac Michigan is shivering.
Cadillac Michigan the light poles are shivering. Science mannn#PolarVortex2019 #PolarVortex #science #Michigan pic.twitter.com/zZnx4kLome
— Super Bowl 52 Champions. (@GordonsWord) January 31, 2019
8. This bubble will not burst
Even bubbles are freezing. Yes, it’s that cold.
How cold is it in the Midwest? Bubbles are freezing.
Remember to take your pets inside.#PolarVortex2019 pic.twitter.com/ZfkbZdy2Si
— Daniel Schneider (@BiologistDan) January 30, 2019
9. Some toilet humour this
Flushing out cold worries will take some time for sure.
It’s soooo cold! how cold is it? it’s sooo cold that this is happening! pic.twitter.com/uloTK26BJA
— Colin Lovequist (@LoungeCKRM) January 29, 2019
10. Noooooooo
And US President Donald Trump wants “Global Waming” to “come back fast”.