
Millions of Americans in the Midwest are battling Arctic-like temperature owing to a phenomenon called the polar vortex, which has led to the suspension of schools, offices and flight services as residents huddle indoors. The coldwave, which made temperatures plummet to as low as minus 56 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 49 Celsius) on Thursday, was also blamed for at least 21 deaths in the country.
Residents of Chicago, Minneapolis and Iowa were the worst affected. And with daily-life almost coming to a halt, people are striving to battle their boredom. While some took up the boiling water challenge — throwing hot water to see it freeze instantly mid-air — others have taken to social media to show how plunging temperatures have thrown life out of gear.
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Warning: Some of these photos and video are quite scary, but also hilarious! From hair to noodles, everything is freezing even before people know it. Take a look at some of the mind-boggling photos and video of the polar vortex, that has created a buzz online.
Frozen pants!
It’s really cold out, but we are ready for duty. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/1iHLlWwjmL
— Chisago Co Sheriff (@ChisagoCountySO) January 29, 2019
Can you imagine how cold it was in Minnesota this week? Well, a woman flipped her entirely frozen pair of sweatpants in the air and guess what, it had a perfect upright landing! Talk about sticking the landing.
Not just pants, wet hair is no different.
“Is Iowa really THAT cold?” pic.twitter.com/htxSZzy2QB
— Taylor Scallon (@taylor_scallon) January 31, 2019
Frozen noodles, anyone?
Indoor doors, plug-point and windows were frozen too
When these are the INSIDE doors…you know we are Polar Vortexing 🥶 #PolarVotex2019 pic.twitter.com/ZiP1Fw4UBK
— Heidi Miler (@HeidiMiler) January 31, 2019
This is what -26 below looks like in a room above a garage with an outside wall . . . #PolarVotex2019 #chiberia2019 #Chicago pic.twitter.com/S9Vgg2Mpn0
— Christine Johnson (@CJcued) January 31, 2019
ice is freezing as soon as it comes out of ou faucet bc it’s so cold pic.twitter.com/b7hwyWUsJd
— ✨makay✨ (@mak_savi) January 30, 2019
That’s frost on the door knob. INSIDE the house. Yikes, stay warm everybody. pic.twitter.com/n2BabtFIUP
— (((Mike McElwee))) (@MJMcElwee) January 30, 2019
From eyelashes to his beard — when this firefighter’s face froze
Cameron Fire Department Chief Mitch Hansen was pictured with a frozen beard after battling a house fire in minus 50 wind chills in Wisconsin. The dramatic condition of the firefighter battling cold while trying to put out a house gutted in fire went viral.
Forget water freezing instantly, even bubbles in the Midwest cannot stay afloat without freezing
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
It’s so cold that even water in the toilet tank froze, so much that the tank exploded!
The commode wasn’t spared much
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
It’s so cold that even lightpoles are 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
Even people can’t drink in peace to beat the cold
#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
Well my vodka finally froze! -22deg #snowday #PolarVortex #Science #Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/rlVvLgVT3z
— Daphne Prator (@AZFieldTripMom) January 31, 2019