Temperatures in parts of the US are currently being deemed the coldest on the planet when wind chill factors are added in, with -73°C (-100°F) being predicted for New Hampshire.
Mount Washington, a ski resort in the White Mountain National Forest, in eastern New Hampshire was forecast to be the coldest spot in the entirety of US this weekend, according to the weather observation station located on its summit.
The 1,916m-high peak was tied for second coldest place on Earth with Armstrong, Ontario, both averaging at -36°F (-37.7778°C) early Saturday morning.
Pairing this sub-zero temperature with the wind chill equivalent of -69°C (-93°F) was what made the chilly peak feel far colder than usual.
Tied for SECOND COLDEST ON EARTH this morning! #cold #bitter #winter pic.twitter.com/5jO84WmKq9
— Mount Washington Observatory (MWO) (@MWObs) January 6, 2018
Several other New England locations also boasted record lows.
Burlington, Vermont, was -18.3°C (-1°F) and -34.4°C (-30°F) with wind chill; and Hartford, Connecticut, was -12.2°C (10°F) and -29°C (-20°F) with wind chill.
The north eastern cities of Philadelphia and New York went down to -13.3°C (8°F) and Boston was a relatively balmy -12°C (10°F).
The big freeze, that is being referred to in the media as a ”bomb cyclone” has caused a myriad of flights both to and from the States being cancelled or postponed.
More than 3,420 flights (within, into or out of the US) were delayed on Saturday.
Those travelling with Aer Lingus have been given the option by the airline to change their flights without fee in an attempt to make matters run more smoothly.
Weather conditions in the Northeastern United States is having an effect on our transatlantic operation. Change Fee waivers are in effect. Please check flight status before travel to the airport and refer to https://t.co/wpVnwVplQG for full details.
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) January 4, 2018
They wrote:
”Weather conditions in the Northeastern United States is having an effect on our transatlantic operation. Change Fee waivers are in effect. Please check flight status before travel to the airport and refer to http://aerlingus.com for full details.”
Meanwhile, temperature records are also being broken on the other side of the world.
Sydney, Australia, had its hottest day in nearly 80 years with mercury hitting a blisteringly high 47.3°C (117°F) on Sunday afternoon local time.
Severe fire warnings were issued for the greater Sydney area and total fire bans were put in place across the city.
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