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Latest updates as historic ‘Siberian express’ brings below-freezing temperatures
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AP
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An Arctic blast sweeping across the eastern United States could break nearly 400 records as it brings below-freezing temperatures, according to America’s National Weather Service.
The treacherous conditions have already caused a plane to slide across the runway at Chicago‘s O’Hare International Airport, where more than 1,000 flights have been cancelled after as much as six inches of snow fell.
The unusually cold air mass came from Siberia — a phenomenon known as a “Siberian Express”. It is predicted to bring temperatures 15 to 25 degrees below average for this time of year until Wednesday night.
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Coldest temperature in three decades recorded in Minnesota
In Minnesota, Monday was the coldest high temperature in three decades in the Twin Cities at -8C. Some Minnesota lakes were freezing earlier than normal.
Nearly 400 temperature records set to be broken
The National Weather Service predicts up to 385 daily temperature records will be broken as the cold blast sweeps across the US.
Four killed in vehicle crash following heavy snowfall
As the weather made driving difficult in much of the Midwest, authorities said Monday’s snowfall was to blame for four deaths.
The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan said two women, ages 81 and 64, and a 57-year-old man were killed in a two-vehicle crash caused by poor road conditions.
In Kansas, the Highway Patrol said an 8-year-old girl died in a three-vehicle wreck. Officials in central Wyoming were searching for a 16-year-old autistic boy who went missing Sunday wearing only his pajamas.
Up to a foot of snow expected in some eastern states
A foot or more of snow could fall in the Great Lakes across eastern US states, the National Weather Service said.
Temperatures set to drop to -6C in Chicago
In Chicago, temperatures are set to drop to 16C today, which is seven degrees lower than the previous record set for 12 November.
Weather service meteorologist Kevin Birk said: “This is an air mass that’s more typical for the middle of January than mid-November.”
“It is pretty much about the coldest we can be this time of year (and) it could break records all over the region.”
American Airlines flight slides off icy runway
An American Airlines flight had a bumpy finish when it slid off the runway amid heavy snow at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the US.
Video taken by passenger Joseph Lian shows the plane slip off the runway and into a snowy field where it bumps to a halt.
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Good afternoon, and welcome to The Independent‘s rolling coverage of the freezing weather sweeping across the US.
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