Frigid, dense air swirled across much of the U.S. Monday, forcing some cities and their residents into hibernation while others layered up and carried on despite a dangerous cold that broke decades-old records.
Greg Rohde has an ice and snow encrusted beard after commuting to work at the University of Minnesota by cross-country skis along West River Parkway in the frigid -20 weather, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Minneapolis.
A blanket of fog covers Lake Michigan along the Chicago shoreline Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, as temperatures dove well below zero and wind chills were expected to reach 40 to 50 below. A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended Monday into much of the U.S.
Ice coats the shell of the United Methodist Church in Syracuse Monday morning, Jan. 6, 2014, a day a fire destroyed the building.
Daryl Daugherty clears the sidewalk in front of his home, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Carmel, Ind., as temperatures dropped lower than 10 below zero. More than 12 inches of snow fell on Sunday.
Greg Rohde commuted to work to the University of Minnesota via cross-country skis along West River Parkway in the frigid -20 weather, Monday, January 6, 2013 in Minneapolis, Minn.
A woman crosses 13th Street during a morning rainstorm, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Philadelphia. In southeastern Pennsylvania, a weather advisory warned of single-digit temperatures with wind chills of 15 to 20 degrees below zero.
Matt O'Rourke plays with his family's dog, Moe, at Richman’s Dog Run near Holmes Lake Park on Sunday. Subzero wind chills didn't prevent several people from walking their canines in the late afternoon.Â
John Brower snow in his eye lashes after running to work in the frigid -20 weather Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Minneapolis. A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended Monday into much of the U.S.
Two pedestrians go down a street in Chicago's South Loop with temperatures well below zero and wind chills expected to reach 40 to 50 below Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Chicago. A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended Monday into much of the U.S.
A pedestrian makes their way along a snow packed street in Indianapolis Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, as temperatures hovered around 10 below zero. More than 12 inches of snow fell on Sunday.
John Douglas shovels the snow off his car in Indianapolis Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, as temperatures hovered around 10 below zero. More than 12 inches of snow fell on Sunday.
Fara Tabatabai walks his two Siberian huskies, Max and Gunner, at Richman’s Dog Run at Holmes Lake Park on Sunday. Tabatabai says he walks his dogs five to seven miles a day no matter the weather.Â
Lee Tuttle, 66, takes a break from blowing snow off of his driveway to pose for a portrait on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at his home on Miller Road in Flint, Mich. He said he hadn't really noticed the icicles forming in his beard.
A Delta plane is deiced at Chicago Midway International Airport Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Chicago. The bitter weather comes after a heavy snowstorm hit much of the region last week. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Sunday at airports throughout the Midwest. More than 400 flights were cancelled at Chicago's airports Monday.
Vehicles sit in a parking lot, buried in snow at the corner of Wallenberg and Court Streets, early Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in downtown Flint, Mich. Michigan residents braced Monday for temperatures to dive further to dangerously cold levels as they dug out following a storm that shuttered schools and government offices across the state.
A commuter walks past warming lamps to an exit on Chicago's El tracks with temperatures well below zero and wind chills expected to reach 40 to 50 below, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Chicago.
A pedestrian tries to navigates an ice covered sidewalk in Ottawa, Ontario, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Temperatures are expected to drop 20 degrees by Monday night. Freezing Rain, Winter Storm and Wind Chill warnings have been issued for the region.
"He would have died out there," said Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office deputy Mark Rasure who pets a stray dog that he coaxed into his car with string cheese and pecans while out patrolling during the icy weather at the Dogtown Boat Ramp in Evansville, Ind. on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. After an hour of trying to befriend the dog who was shaking from the below-freezing temperatures, Rasure eventually lured it with his own snacks.
Time and temperature signs agree to the cold temperatures in Lawrence, Kan., early Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.
Laurel O'Connor, of Bowling Green, Ky., works to scrape ice off of her windshield before driving, Monday, Jan. 6, 2013, in Bowling Green. Temperatures were expected to plummet further Monday, bringing dangerous cold to parts of the U.S.
Sharon Scott waits for a bus in a bus stop after running erands Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Schools were closed across Ohio and officials warned people to stay inside if possible Monday as the state braced for a blast of dangerously cold weather.
Michael Best, right, and others who identified themselves as homeless use donated wood and a fire barrel to keep warm Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Knoxville, Tenn. Monday's expected high temperature in Knoxville of around 24 degrees came hours before dawn, and is expected to fall into the single digits for most of East Tennessee.
Long lines of passengers are at the TSA security check point at Chicago Midway International Airport Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Chicago. The bitter weather comes after a heavy snowstorm hit much of the region last week. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Sunday at airports throughout the Midwest. More than 400 flights were canceled at Chicago's airports Monday.
U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Doug Hanson crosses Harlem Boulevard at Guard Street on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, while walking his route in Rockford, Ill. Hanson, a veteran letter carrier of 26 years, said this is one of the coldest days of work he could remember. A weekend storm that dumped up to 15 inches of snow in some parts of Illinois was followed by a bitter mass of arctic air that plunged temperatures to record lows.
Deanna Hodges, of Des Moines, Iowa, walks home from work, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Iowans are dealing with bitter cold temperatures falling well below zero.
A horse dozes in a shed while a cat makes it's way through snow on a farm near Lecompton, Kan., Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.
Cattle feed in a pasture near Lecompton, Kan., Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Cattle with their thick hides and heavy coats can usually weather the cold temperatures well as long as there is not much snow to get them wet. Luckily, it is too early for most ranchers to calve yet in Kansas. But the brutally cold temperatures make it hard for the ranchers who must make sure they have plenty of unfrozen water, feed and bedding.
Ice accumulates on a shrub from water driven by waves from the Ohio River Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Paducah, Ky. Temperatures dropped to the single digits overnight with the wind chill reaching -20 to -30 degrees.
Motorist travel along snow covered Grand River Avenue on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in downtown Detroit.
A barge moves up a steamy Ohio River, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, past downtown Cincinnati. Temperatures in the area dipped below zero. Frigid, dense air swirled across much of the U.S.
In an image made with a fisheye lens, Marguerite Johnston uncovers her car in Grosse Pointe, Mich., Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Michigan residents are preparing for diving temperatures as they dig out from more than 15 inches of snow in places.
Brandon Schmidt of Jim's Towing hooks up a delivery truck that wouldn't start on Main Avenue in West Fargo, N.D., Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. The temperature was 24 below zero at the time. Life-threatening cold weather pushed throughout the Dakotas. The National Weather Service reported overnight lows in the two states in the minus teens and 20s, and wind chills in the minus 30s, 40s, and even 50s.
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