Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email
Temperatures have plummeted as low as -40C in parts of America , making some states colder than Antarctica.
In Chicago, the average temperature is hovering around -17C, making it the second coldest day in 150 years. Locals have been warned "not to breathe deeply" outside amid the "deadly polar vortex".
The freezing temperatures have led to Lake Michigan freezing over to mesmerising effect.
People have been sharing pictures on social media.
One traveller en route to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which cancelled more than 1,500 flights over the past day due to extreme weather, took this photo while flying in.
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Show all 29 1 /29Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
Kalamazoo Gazette/AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Ice covers the Lake Michigan shoreline
Getty
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over A harbor light is covered by snow and ice
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Temperatures dropped to -20 degrees F (-29C)
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Steam rising off the frozen lake
Rex Features
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Marius Radoi keeps his balance as he walks on the edge of Lake Michigan's shore line
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Ice forms along the shore
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Ducks rest in Lake Michigan
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over A young boy tosses a chunck of snow into Lake Michigan
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
REUTERS
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
EPA
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over Frank Lettiere's eyebrows and eye lashes are frozen after walking along Lake Michigan's ice covered shoreline
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
EPA
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over A man tosses hot water into the freezing cold air
EPA
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over A man tosses hot water into the freezing cold air
EPA
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
EPA
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AFP/Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
Getty Images
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
Spectacular photos of Lake Michigan frozen over
AP
One user likened the scene to the science-fiction disaster film The Day After Tomorrow .
In some footage, steam fog can be seen rising from the lake, which is created as the water temperature is higher than the air temperature, causing a "boiling cauldron" effect.
Meanwhile over the border into Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls is also in the midst of a deep freeze, with parts of the iconic waterfall freezing over.
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising resultsShow all 25 1 /25Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results A view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls as steam rises
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results A tourists take pictures of the Canadian Horseshoe falls
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results Steam rises from the falls as a woman takes pictures
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results Steam rises from the US Niagara Falls before sunrise
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results Water flows around ice, formed on the American Falls in Niagara Falls, New York, due to subzero temperatures, viewed from the Canadian side, in Ontario
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results Ice and snow cover branches near the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, due to subzero temperatures in Niagara Falls
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results A couple takes a photo of the ice
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
AFP/Getty Images
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
AFP/Getty Images
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
AFP/Getty
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results Visitors take a "selfie" as ice and snow coat a railing near the brink of the Horseshoe Falls
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Niagara Falls freezes over with mesmerising results
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies