Chicago River freezes over and incredible footage shows boat breaking through the ice

Temperatures have dropped as low as -45C

(Reuters)

The Chicago River has frozen over, with phenomenal footage showing a boat breaking through the ice as it sails along.

The video was captured as much of the US experiences sub-freezing conditions and temperatures as low as -45C amid a polar vortex.

Average temperatures in Chicago have plunged to -17C, making it the second coldest day on record in the last 150 years.

Locals have been told “not to breathe too deeply outside” due to the extreme cold.

Railway staff were filmed setting fire to Chicago train tracks on Tuesday in an attempt to defrost them and keep trains moving.

The freezing of the river comes alongside Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes of North America, being photographed covered in ice.

Earlier this month, Niagara Falls was also snapped partially frozen, mesmerising visitors.

Elsewhere in the US, Buffalo in New York State declared a state of emergency on Wednesday due to severe weather.

With 11ft of snow and 45mph winds hitting Buffalo and the Southtowns, the city issued travel bans to the south and east.

The Thruway Authority issued a travel ban to keep tractor-trailers off the highway, and flights were cancelled or delayed.

The Skyway and stretches of the Thruway and Route 219 were shut down at one point, while visibility in some areas was so poor Erie County Department of Public Works had to remove plough drivers from the roads.

Multi-vehicle accidents closed stretches of the I-190 during rush hour on Wednesday, with 21 vehicles involved in a crash.

The UK is experiencing its own cold snap, albeit a far less extreme version of the one happening across the Pond.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for parts of England and Wales, with snow and icy conditions predicted until 9pm on Friday.

Cornwall is currently being hit by heavy snowfall, while footage shows a loch in Scottish Highlands partially frozen over.