2018 STARTS COLD IN CENTRAL U.S.

Bone-chilling cold gripped much of the central U.S. as 2018 began Monday, breaking century-old records, icing over some New Year’s celebrations and 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 didn’t deter hundreds of people from ringing in the new year by jumping into Lake Michigan.

Throngs took part in the annual tradition in Milwaukee, but a similar event was canceled at the Chicago lakefront.

Temperatures plunged below zero elsewhere in the Midwest, including in Aberdeen, S.D., where the mercury dropped to a recordbreaking minus 32. The previous New Year’s Day record had stood for 99 years.

Temperatures hit 15 below zero 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 around 30,000 people.

It’s even cold in the Deep South, a region more accustomed to brief bursts of arctic air than night after night below zero.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office said two bodies found Sunday showed signs of hypothermia. — The Associated Press ●●●