These Scenes From the Midwest Polar Vortex Will Chill You to the Bone
:upscale()/2019/01/30/027/n/38761221/58dd16085c5235c1b4ffa4.43131445_.jpg)
Bone-chillingly cold weather gripped the Midwest on Jan. 30, as a so-called "polar vortex" caused temperatures to plummet far below the zero-degree mark. The arctic blast led many schools and businesses to close across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and eight deaths have been reported so far. People in the affected states are sharing photos and videos on social media as they experience the dangerously frigid weather — see some of the most awe-inspiring scenes ahead.
The Streets of Chicago Were Deserted During the Usual Morning Rush Hour
:upscale()/2019/01/30/971/n/38761221/7a3c4b1cb34c4d8d_GettyImages-1091322682.jpg)
Lake Michigan Was Eerily Foggy
:upscale()/2019/01/30/971/n/38761221/233ff16bb3b860ad_GettyImages-1091486634.jpg)
Snow and Ice Formations Surrounded the Lake
:upscale()/2019/01/30/971/n/38761221/d51b41c2ad70cd1c_GettyImages-1126203252.jpg)
The Chicago River Was Covered in Chunks of Ice
:upscale()/2019/01/30/971/n/38761221/3e03eb9c0697f10e_GettyImages-1126200046.jpg)
A Boat Had to Break Up Said Chunks
People Started Throwing Water in the Air to See How Fast It'd Freeze
People Did It With Pots of Boiling Water, Too
The Photos Are Seriously Mesmerizing
Some Did the Same With Hot Coffee, Too
. . . and Water Guns
This Happened . . .
:upscale()/2019/01/30/971/n/38761221/a8fdf5b33586ab06_GettyImages-1091528020.jpg)
People Bundled Up to Brave the Cold
:upscale()/2019/01/30/993/n/38761221/11667c2feda05870_GettyImages-1126248889.jpg)
Some Chicagoans Even Jogged Outside (Making Sure to Cover Their Faces, of Course)
Trees Froze Over, Making For Quite the Interesting Photo Op
Just Looking at This Photo of Lake Michigan Has Us Shivering
:upscale()/2019/01/31/822/n/38761221/5a1c1d5478ced0ea_GettyImages-1126452059.jpg)