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Extreme weather events are becoming more and more common, with records shattered down under during Australia's recent heatwave, and now, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the 'polar vortex' turning Midwestern U.S. into a winter wonderland.

The polar vortex is a band of strong winds, high up in the atmosphere that keeps bitterly cold winter season air locked around the Arctic region. Sometimes, like this year, it can drift further south than usual and envelop highly populated areas of North America. Chigaco has been particularly hard hit, with its notoriously windy location on Lake Michigan bringing freezing temperatures down to record-breaking lows.

With much of the Midwest on lockdown and people urged to stay indoors, some people have been braving the winter landscapes to take incredible images of the effects that the extremely cold weather is having on their daily lives. From exploding toilets to icy hairstyles, this list compiled by Bored Panda will give you chills just from looking at it!

#1

How Cold Is It In The Midwest? Bubbles Are Freezing

How Cold Is It In The Midwest? Bubbles Are Freezing

BiologistDan Report

#2

My Brother Was On One Of The Few Flights Into Chicago This Morning. He Took This Photo Of Frozen Lake Michigan From The Plane

My Brother Was On One Of The Few Flights Into Chicago This Morning. He Took This Photo Of Frozen Lake Michigan From The Plane

DavidPFunk Report

#3

After Two Days Of Freezing Rain, This Mold Came Out

After Two Days Of Freezing Rain, This Mold Came Out

sprgsmnt Report

#4

Meanwhile In Minnesota. The Tank Exploded

Meanwhile In Minnesota. The Tank Exploded

David Hildebrand Report

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luismilian avatar
diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By the glimpse of bath/tiles I would say this is an old property, not modernised so would imagine the level of insulation and heating is poor. It could possibly be an empty property with no heating on at all to have that happen.

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southon avatar
Bobert Robertson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well the toilet is made by Glacier Bay.... I'm not sure what they expected

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Jeff Requier
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they turned their heat off? Because here in Canada we can hit -50 and Ive never seen that happen.

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Angela Williams
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

terrible but did anyone notice the name of the loo...Glacier Bay...quite apt really...

ariawhitaker avatar
Aria Whitaker
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While this is a cool pic and quite unfortunate, it is not QUITE as bad as it looks. I saw the original site this was posted on, the person went on to explain that this was a rental house that was sitting empty with little heat circulating. So while it IS bad, it isn't like this is an occupied, heated residence and this just happened because of the intense cold or people actually had to use this bathroom.

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TheBoredPanda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yo, why is it so cold IN YOUR HOUSE that your toilet water froze?

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iluvanimals
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from Minnesota and this looks like a cabin. Insulation issue I am thinking since this is not typical of a regular house.

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Coreen Kerr
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So this is your inside toilet tank? Dam it must be sooooo cold there. Try & keep warm if you can. Take care Coreen

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Lynn Na
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minnesotans deserve at least this, considering their voting habits.

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ispeak catanese
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fittingly, the toilet is Glacier Bay brand. Obviously not for us at glacial temps. I'll show myself out.

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Diane Brock
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've experienced water frozen solid IN the bowl, but this has that beat!

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John Everett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't trust a "Glacier Bay" toilet, which brand can you trust?

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Therese Monse
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ironically, the toilet brand is "Glacier Bay"! Don't wanna be there when it thaws out!

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Karen Chaddock
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened inside a home so I can only imagine how cold it is outside.

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Cheryl Lohr
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the toilet tank froze this hard they will definitely have frozen water and possibly sewer pipers.

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John Kamau
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quick... Quick guys, Time to rekindle the modeling clay class. Create a mould around the ice before it starts melting away.

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Sue Clasen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That happened once in my family's sheep farm in Patagonia quite a long time ago.

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Mark Kelly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must be run down. A regular insulated home wouldn't get that bad,

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Patricia Jensen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sorry to hear but it is ridiculous cold. I am awake at 3:30 am because it is too damned cold in my bedroom to stay asleep and I'm running a heater at my beside constantly. I'm in Toronto Canada and the temp here isn't half as bad as some parts of the U.S.

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Tricia Fish
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW!!!! I have never heard or seen anything like this before!!!! How could this happen??? The house should be warm enough for this not to happen.

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Mike Zysman
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems fake to me. Why would the tank explode if there was plenty of room for the ice to expand on the top? Your ice cube tray doesn't explode.

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Hunter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

those poor people think of all the damage repairs for those pipes just think going into the store to get new ones and they ask what happend and you say it exploded

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K.R.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree! Very bad or lack of insulation... but did they also leave a window open?

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Nthati
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I'd ever be able to survive here, I live in South Africa and it gets cold but not this cold, I haven't owned gloves or a beanie in years. If I woke up to find this I'd go back to bed.

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Lef
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#5

My Sister Opened Her Car Door In Chicago

My Sister Opened Her Car Door In Chicago

PerkyMooseTits Report

#6

A Firefighter After Working In The -40° Polar Vortex

A Firefighter After Working In The -40° Polar Vortex

crowntownfrown Report

#7

My God. We've Reached The Day After Tomorrow

My God. We've Reached The Day After Tomorrow

Jacopo_della_Q Report

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Ashley Kirk
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best part? Our fearless leader tweets how this cold disproves global warming. Ughhhhhh

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#8

Trying To Make The Most Of This -40 F Weather

Trying To Make The Most Of This -40 F Weather

Mapes Report

#9

Lunch In Chicago Today. I Like Mine Al Dente

Lunch In Chicago Today. I Like Mine Al Dente

supercatpuke Report

#10

“Is Iowa Really That Cold?”

“Is Iowa Really That Cold?”

taylor_scallon Report

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#11

Current Level Of Snow In Madison: One Whole Mingo

Current Level Of Snow In Madison: One Whole Mingo

ForwardMSNFC , ForwardMSNFC Report

#12

Pray For The Homeless During This Time! Give To Your Local Shelters. Most Are At Full Capacity

Pray For The Homeless During This Time! Give To Your Local Shelters. Most Are At Full Capacity

OMAROSA Report

#13

It's So Cold In Chicago They Set Commuter Train Tracks On Fire To Warm Them

It's So Cold In Chicago They Set Commuter Train Tracks On Fire To Warm Them

metrarail Report

#14

It's So Cold In Iowa That We Froze Antifreeze

It's So Cold In Iowa That We Froze Antifreeze

Stonedspidey Report

#15

Eye Lashes On Fleek! Is That A Thing? Is This The New Winter Running Fashion Statement?

Eye Lashes On Fleek! Is That A Thing? Is This The New Winter Running Fashion Statement?

mayrenaisamar Report

#16

What Happens When You Blow Bubbles In A Freezing Weather

What Happens When You Blow Bubbles In A Freezing Weather

cbotnyse Report

#17

Meanwhile In Wisconsin

Meanwhile In Wisconsin

atlastifoundit Report

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lyviadaleaf avatar
Lef
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

imagine wanting to take a poop then finding that your toilet is practically a snow sculpture

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#18

Freezing Our Pants Off In Minnesota

Freezing Our Pants Off In Minnesota

gregswan Report

#19

When These Are The Inside Doors... You Know We Are Polar Vortexing

When These Are The Inside Doors... You Know We Are Polar Vortexing

HeidiMiler Report

#20

Cadillac Michigan The Light Poles Are Shivering. Science Mannn

Cadillac Michigan The Light Poles Are Shivering. Science Mannn

GordonsWord Report

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#21

Landlord Decided To Turn Down The Heat Today In My MN Apartment As It Reached -40°

Landlord Decided To Turn Down The Heat Today In My MN Apartment As It Reached -40°

The idiot must have forgotten he pays my electric and doesn't realize that I value my comfort over safety or energy conservation.

JohannReddit Report

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Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know if you have human rights in America (not many, anyway) but you should be able to prosecute him for that.

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#22

Going To Daycare When It's -30 Outside

Going To Daycare When It's -30 Outside

Stweets19 Report

#23

Frozen Chicken Eggs

Frozen Chicken Eggs

afrwvus Report

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олександра пушкар
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! That looks amazing! Imagine laying it on the frying pan and watching it melt. *went to put eggs outside*

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#24

You Know It's Cold When The Toilet Paper Is Frozen In The Outhouse

You Know It's Cold When The Toilet Paper Is Frozen In The Outhouse

Linda Mooney Report

#25

The Detroit River, Frozen All The Way To Canada

The Detroit River, Frozen All The Way To Canada

Jay_Z_123 Report

#26

Got So Cold Last Night That Our Vodka Froze! For Reference The Freezing Point For Vodka Is -16

Got So Cold Last Night That Our Vodka Froze! For Reference The Freezing Point For Vodka Is -16

KKrilanovichCRE Report

#27

We Had A House Fire South Of Cameron Today. Our Chief Mitch Hansen Thought It Was A Splash Park

We Had A House Fire South Of Cameron Today. Our Chief Mitch Hansen Thought It Was A Splash Park

Bimbo Gifford Report

#29

Letting My Car Heat Up During The Polar Vortex

Letting My Car Heat Up During The Polar Vortex

ahhbeeli Report

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#30

House Is Freezing From The Inside During The Coldest Day In A Decade

House Is Freezing From The Inside During The Coldest Day In A Decade

Nayb3n Report

#31

The Beauty The Cold Brings To South Dakota

The Beauty The Cold Brings To South Dakota

chinho321 Report

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tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in southeast Virginia. I can't even wrap my mind around most of these pics.

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#32

This Flash-Frozen Fire Hydrant

This Flash-Frozen Fire Hydrant

kasprzee Report

#34

A Sheet Of Ice Formed Between The Glass Panes Of This Door

A Sheet Of Ice Formed Between The Glass Panes Of This Door

sadpinata Report

#35

Polar Vortex Lesson: Don’t Try To Hang Dry Your Clothes Outside

Polar Vortex Lesson: Don’t Try To Hang Dry Your Clothes Outside

eharrisment Report

#36

Polar Vortex (Temp. 16 F /-9 C)

Polar Vortex (Temp. 16 F /-9 C)

ahuewnyc Report

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Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for telling us a temperature that the rest of the world actually uses.

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#37

My Parents Sent Me This Pic Of Our Peephole (From The Indoor Side)

My Parents Sent Me This Pic Of Our Peephole (From The Indoor Side)

imayoras Report

#38

My Neighbor’s Furnace Exhaust Is Creating An Interesting Icicle

My Neighbor’s Furnace Exhaust Is Creating An Interesting Icicle

nonnahinnor Report

#39

One Cold Rowdy Dog On The Bulkhead. Still Looking For Leftover Canteen Snacks

One Cold Rowdy Dog On The Bulkhead. Still Looking For Leftover Canteen Snacks

gorgonzolabee Report

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#40

I Just Wanted To See How Long It Would Take For An Egg To Freeze Outside And Also What Would Become Of My Egg

I Just Wanted To See How Long It Would Take For An Egg To Freeze Outside And Also What Would Become Of My Egg

Lauren Yapalater Report

#41

Cold Spell

Cold Spell

Yes, that is ice on the inside of our house. It's not the first time that ice has formed around our door. We've talked to our landlord and hope to get a new door and door frame in spring when we don't have to worry about getting frostbite about people outside for five minutes. It would really help with our utility bill as well.

ferrari1996 Report

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2-10-11
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A blanket tacked over the door would probably be as efficient and easier to maintain

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#42

It Was So Cold In Chicago That The Paint Came Off My Car

It Was So Cold In Chicago That The Paint Came Off My Car

imgur.com Report

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Roger Haywood
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's probably down to a bad paint job. I'm sure it's supposed to last even in sub zero conditions.

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#43

"No, Believe Me, 'Tis Very Cold; The Wind Is Northerly"

"No, Believe Me, 'Tis Very Cold; The Wind Is Northerly"

ShakesPic Report

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alexcannoneer97 avatar
олександра пушкар
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like these jeans are having a conversation. "Check it out, guys, I froze in such a funny position!"

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#44

Ice Is Freezing As Soon As It Comes Out Of Our Faucet Because It's So Cold

Ice Is Freezing As Soon As It Comes Out Of Our Faucet Because It's So Cold

mak_savi Report

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Vali F.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. water is freezein, not ice. ice is already frozen. 2. i think it is fake, oterwise the water drops around would be frozen also.

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#45

This Is My Buddy Jesse At The Arrowhead 135 In Mn Yesterday. Day Time Temp Was -26 °F

This Is My Buddy Jesse At The Arrowhead 135 In Mn Yesterday. Day Time Temp Was -26 °F

hivehivebuzzbuzz Report

#46

In A Matter Of 2 Minutes Walking Across Campus, My Glasses Started To Frost/Ice Over

In A Matter Of 2 Minutes Walking Across Campus, My Glasses Started To Frost/Ice Over

Everyone’s been talking about how cold Chicago is right now. The upper Midwest (I’m talking Fargo area) had windchills up to -60 below zero, ten degrees colder than Chicago. In a matter of 2 minutes walking across campus, my glasses started to frost/ice over.

kmbell333 Report

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Claudia Stieble
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last winter I drove my bicycle to work and had to stop after 10 minutes because my glasses were covered with frost patterns, they looked beautiful but I couldn't see anything at all. It was only -14°C that morning.

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#47

My Wall Is Freezing In My Bedroom. There Are No Pipes Behind It. Chicago

My Wall Is Freezing In My Bedroom. There Are No Pipes Behind It. Chicago

creampuffyness Report

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Vlad Horobet
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I know, most of the houses in America are built on wooden frame, with some isolation foam between wooden planks inside and outside. At the corners either is a slim wooden pole either the isolation is not well connected. Either way, this is bad in the future, the humidity and the wood don't mix well over long periods of time.

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#48

So My Soap Is Frozen In My Shower

So My Soap Is Frozen In My Shower

wowmartiean Report

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who's even mad enough to attempt a shower in that cold - even if the pipes weren't frozen solid

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#49

It's So Cold Here In Iowa That There Is Now Frost On The Inside Of My Door Hinges

It's So Cold Here In Iowa That There Is Now Frost On The Inside Of My Door Hinges

TheMadCatterFTW Report

#50

My Beard Froze While Waiting Bus. I Wish It Would Be Summer Already

My Beard Froze While Waiting Bus. I Wish It Would Be Summer Already

Volus_dude Report

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A B C
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeez, that guy could really use a razor. Or at least some shears.

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