A so-called 'Polar Vortex' has wreaked havoc in the United States
Temperatures have plummeted in the United States as a result of a 'polar vortex'.
Steam rising off the frozen Lake Michigan in ChicagoThe mercury has dropped to around -32 degrees in parts of the north and mid-west, with North Dakota seeing big drops.
However, the wind chill makes parts of the States feel even colder, with Minnesota getting chills of -52 degrees!
Elsewhere, Chicago officials have had to set rail tracks on fire in a bid to stop them freezing over.
It wouldn't be the first time this has happened, as it also took place last year:
Speaking of Chicago, Lake Michigan and rivers have frozen over, as a result of temperatures falling to record lows.
A number of fatalities have occurred
The Associated Press reported two Michigan residents were found dead. Officials say they were in the cold without the correct clothing and became disorientated.
In Illinois an 82-year-old male died from hypothermia while a 55-year-old man froze to death in Wisconsin while he was shoveling snow.
Further fatalities have occurred on the roads with a man killed by a snow plough in Chicago and a couple dying in a collision on icy roads in Indiana.
Credit: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK/Sipa USA
Schools and businesses have closed and flights have been cancelled.
In an effort to keep people safe hundreds of schools and colleges are closed.
The US Postal Service are not delivery post to 10 of the affected states.
Chicago's two airports have cancelled over 1,500 flights.
People have been warned to avoid taking deep breaths. While Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel has urged people not to go outside.
The city has opened centres to house their rough sleepers.
PETA is asking people to bring their pets indoors.
