As It Is

Extreme Cold Affecting Many Areas Across US

A layer of ice is broken into pieces floating along the banks of the Hudson River at the Palisades Interstate Park with the George Washington Bridge in the background, Jan. 2, 2018, in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

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Extreme Cold Affecting Many Areas Across US

Extremely cold weather is a problem in many parts of the United States.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that record-setting temperatures have been blamed for at least 12 deaths in recent weeks.

Some forecasters say the worst weather is yet to come.

On Tuesday, the U.S. National Weather Service announced wind chill advisories and freeze warnings for 40 of the 50 states.

The weather service predicted a “period of much-below-normal temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills to the central and eastern U.S. over the next week.”

People stop to photograph the frozen Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain in New York, U.S., January 3, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Air temperatures fell to -13 Celsius near Cullman, Alabama, which usually has a mild winter. In the port of Mobile, Alabama, temperatures reached as low as -7 Celsius.

City officials opened warming shelters across the southern United States, as the cold weather brought light snow as far south as Austin, Texas.

On Wednesday, a winter storm dropped snow, sleet and freezing rain from northern Florida up the Southeast coast. Some cities reported snowfall for the first time in over 20 years. Cars spun out of control on icy roads from Texas to Georgia.

Hospitals across the country are reporting an increase in emergency room visits for hypothermia and other conditions linked to extreme cold.

The record-setting cold weather began in the central U.S. early last week. Omaha, Nebraska, broke a 130-year record when temperatures fell to -29 Celsius. The city of Aberdeen, South Dakota broke a 99-year record with temperatures of -36 Celsius.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Penobscot Bay helps break free tug Stephanie Dann from the ice on the Hudson River near Kingston, New York, U.S., January 2, 2018. Picture taken on January 2, 2018. U.S. Coast Guard photo/Handout via REUTERS

In Florida, several water parks closed because of the cold weather. New York’s Hudson River froze in some parts, forcing officials to cancel passenger ferry service.

At Niagara Falls, people took photographs of the Horseshoe Falls, where flowing water had turned to ice.

A visitor takes a picture near the brink of the ice covered Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, January 3, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron Lynett

Frozen sharks were washing up along the coast south of Boston, Massachusetts, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy reported.

Forecasters warned that weather conditions could worsen, especially in the Northeast.

A winter storm warning extended from the Florida panhandle all the way up the Atlantic coast. Coastal flooding, downed trees and power lines were possible along the East Coast.

I'm Susan Shand.

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Words in this Story

forecasters – n. a person who predicts (something, such as weather) after looking at the information that is available

hypothermia – n. a condition in which the temperature of your body is very low

park – n. an area that is designed for a specified use such as swimming, walking or nature

ferry – n. a boat that moves people across a small body of water

chill – n. a feeling of being extremely cold