US weather: Americans told 'not to breathe deeply or talk' outside as 'deadly' polar vortex causes temperatures to plummet

The US is experiencing some of the coldest weather in decades

A woman cross country skis in front of the US Capitol as snow continues to fall in Washington, DC (AFP/Getty)

Parts of America are facing temperatures colder than Antarctica this week, as a cold front sweeps through the upper midwest.

US officials are urging residents from northern states to stay inside as the deep freeze sets in across the county, bringing with it life-threatening conditions.

A blast of Arctic air from the polar vortex is causing temperatures to drop as low as -40C (-40F), and in some cases even colder.

Read below for our coverage of the weather on Wednesday, as it happened

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[30 January 2019 17:40 · Clark Mindock]

Here is some dramatic footage provided by Metra Rail, the commuter rail line in the Chicago area.

[30 January 2019 18:00 · Clark Mindock]

Here's the latest on temperatures from around the country, from news wire services:

Temperatures in parts of the Northern Plains and Great Lakes plunged to as low minus 42 Fahrenheit (minus 41 Celsius) in Park Rapids, Minnesota, and minus 31F in Fargo, North Dakota, according to the National Weather Service. The frigid winds were bound for the U.S. East Coast later on Wednesday into Thursday.

[30 January 2019 18:20 · Clark Mindock]

The National Weather Services in Iowa is warning against being, well, chill during the chill.

Here's a bit from a release from the organization. Stay warm, Iowa.

THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE LIFE-THREATENING COLD AIR!!!This is the coldest air many of us will have ever experienced. Thisis not a case of "meh, it`s Iowa during winter and this coldhappens." These are record-breaking cold air temperatures, with windchill values not seen in the 21st century in Iowa.

[30 January 2019 18:40 · Clark Mindock]

[30 January 2019 19:00 · Clark Mindock]

[30 January 2019 19:10 · Clark Mindock]

The cold in Chicago has been accompanied by some power outages, according to local power suppliers.

Around 9,300 customers were reportedly without power, primarily in the city's suburbs, as of Wednesday afternoon.

[30 January 2019 19:20 · Clark Mindock]

[30 January 2019 19:40 · Clark Mindock]

Temperatures in the United States are shockingly cold today, but one city so far has claimed today's record in Minnesota.

Norris Camp in Minnesota saw temperatures drop for three hours to -44C (-48F), with a wind chill bringing the temperatures down to -54C (-68F).

That is the coldest temperature so far recorded in the lower 48 states and colder than Alaska's North Slope.

[30 January 2019 19:58 · Clark Mindock]

Residents in New York City have begun receiving snow squall warnings, with sudden white conditions possible, according to emergency alerts from the National Weather Service.

[30 January 2019 20:12 · Clark Mindock]