How cold is North America this week? Picture this

Gas-fired switch heater on the rails keeps the ice and snow off the switches near a train station in Chicago on Jan. 29.
Gas-fired switch heater on the rails keeps the ice and snow off the switches near a train station in Chicago on Jan. 29.
Image: AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato
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A polar vortex has been bearing down on portions of North America this week, plunging temperatures far below freezing, with brutal wind-chill temperatures. Reuters reports that the wind chill  in Park Rapids, Minnesota dipped to -42°F (-41°C) yesterday (Jan. 30).

Scenes from the American Midwest to Ontario show how locals are braving the elements. The deep freeze has already been blamed for at least 12 deaths.

Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this
Image for article titled How cold is North America this week? Picture this