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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

Lef
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That actually looks really cool!

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    #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

    Dani
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That actually looks really neat!

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    #4

    Meanwhile In Minnesota. The Tank Exploded

    Meanwhile In Minnesota. The Tank Exploded

    David Hildebrand Report

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is horrible! house may have broken pipes as well.

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    #5

    My Sister Opened Her Car Door In Chicago

    My Sister Opened Her Car Door In Chicago

    PerkyMooseTits Report

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    #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

    Ashley Kirk
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Lef
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    HOW ARE YOU SHIRTLESS IN SUCH COLD WEATHER?!

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    #9

    Lunch In Chicago Today. I Like Mine Al Dente

    Lunch In Chicago Today. I Like Mine Al Dente

    supercatpuke Report

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So this is how you summon the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

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    #10

    “Is Iowa Really That Cold?”

    “Is Iowa Really That Cold?”

    taylor_scallon Report

    #11

    Current Level Of Snow In Madison: One Whole Mingo

    Current Level Of Snow In Madison: One Whole Mingo

    ForwardMSNFC , ForwardMSNFC Report

    Hm Mm
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Flamingo...flamingoing...flamingone..

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    #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

    Amandine Vn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg even in full capacity you can't let someone outside 😨

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    #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

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    #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

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow, never experienced this before. It looks dangerous being out there.

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    #16

    What Happens When You Blow Bubbles In A Freezing Weather

    What Happens When You Blow Bubbles In A Freezing Weather

    cbotnyse Report

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    #17

    Meanwhile In Wisconsin

    Meanwhile In Wisconsin

    atlastifoundit Report

    Lef
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Pumbaa
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks really weird! Like it was in some scifi horror movie..

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    #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

    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    2econdSelf
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the younger kid in A Christmas Story!

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    #23

    Frozen Chicken Eggs

    Frozen Chicken Eggs

    afrwvus Report

    олександра пушкар
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

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    #25

    The Detroit River, Frozen All The Way To Canada

    The Detroit River, Frozen All The Way To Canada

    Jay_Z_123 Report

    Remi
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "international" skating ring :)

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    #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

    Grumble O'Pug
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sweat and freezing weather, so hard to deal with.

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    #28

    Minnesota's Officers

    Minnesota's Officers

    chisagocountyso Report

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    #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

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Freya the Wanderer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let's hope the fire department didn't have to use this hydrant!

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    #33

    This Door At Work In Minnesota

    This Door At Work In Minnesota

    rmcvey4051 Report

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    #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

    Pumbaa
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Better heat it up slowly before it bursts

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    #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

    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

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    #38

    My Neighbor’s Furnace Exhaust Is Creating An Interesting Icicle

    My Neighbor’s Furnace Exhaust Is Creating An Interesting Icicle

    nonnahinnor Report

    Freya the Wanderer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are marching to Pretoria - because we won't freeze our a**es off there!

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    #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

    #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

    2-10-11
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Roger Haywood
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    олександра пушкар
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Vali F.
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Boudica
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I need to know why the car is on fire!

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    #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

    Claudia Stieble
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Vlad Horobet
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    diane a
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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

    Person2638
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nature's trying to tell you to stay inside.

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    #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

    A B C
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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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