Ice vortex with -50C temperatures sends US running indoors - PHOTO+VIDEO

A whirling mass of freezing air has brought heavy snow and wind chill temperatures of minus 50C to large parts of America.The eastern half of the country has been hit by dense air known as a ‘polar vortex’ which has brought weather last seen two decades ago.Parts of the north-east and Canada have seen up to 60cm (2ft) of fresh snow fall and 3,700 flights have been cancelled.Schools in Chicago and other Midwest cities are closed and people have been warned to stay indoors. The city of Indianapolis has banned driving for anyone other than those seeking shelter.Lake Michigan is frozen solid and ice breakers were  deployed to clear the way for shipping.‘I have seen frostbite occur through clothing,’ warned Douglas Brunette, an A&E doctor in Minneapolis.(metro.co.uk)ANN.Az