Central US gripped by dangerously cold weather

BONE-CHILLING cold gripped much of the central US as 2018 began, leading to at least two deaths attributed to exposure to the elements.

The National Weather Service issued wind chill advisories covering a vast area from south Texas to Canada and from Montana and Wyoming through New England.

Dangerously low temperatures enveloped much of the Midwest, yet did not deter hundreds of people from ringing in the new year by jumping into Lake Michigan.

Despite sub-freezing temperatures and a warning of potential hypothermia from the local fire chief, throngs of people took part in the annual tradition in Milwaukee, warming up later beside a beach fire pit.

A similar event was cancelled on the Chicago lakefront, where temperatures dipped below zero as thick white steam rose from the lake on Monday morning.

Organisers said the arctic blast made jumping into the lake too dangerous.

Instead, would-be Chicago plungers had their pictures taken while jumping on the frozen beach – in their swimsuits.

Temperatures plunged below zero elsewhere in the Midwest, including in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where the mercury dropped to a recordbreaking -36C. The previous New Year’s Day record had stood for 99 years.

In Nebraska, temperatures hit -26C before midnight on Sunday in Omaha, breaking a record low dating to 1884.

Omaha officials cited the forecast in postponing the 18th annual New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular that draws about 30,000 people.