![Chicago, Il, USA had been badly affected by the polar vortex sweeping over the Midwest. [Image PxHere]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/2/1/660x290/b_502x220x82/chicago-il-usa-had-been-badly-affected-by-the-polar-vortex-sweeping-over-the-midwest-image-pxhere_2196961.jpg "Chicago, Il, USA had been badly affected by the polar vortex sweeping over the Midwest. [Image PxHere]")
Chicago, Illinois, is one of the places in the Midwest to be hit by a devastating polar vortex, causing freezing conditions and disrupting life in general. The bad weather has caused at least 21 deaths across the region, with the icy conditions stretching from the Dakotas right through to Maine.
Some residents of Chicago have been reporting cracking sounds and loud booms and they are not sure where this is coming from. A contractor told CBS 2 that it could be “frost-quakes,” where the ground gets saturated with water and ice. It then expands and cracks, making the sound. Others say it can be caused by wood or metal in the home expanding and contracting.
By the weekend, temperatures are picking up a bit and services are gradually returning to normal. However, see how badly the icy weather affected Chicago in the images below.
Polar Vortex hits the Mid West and Chicago
A polar vortex which is hitting the Midwest of the USA has had a drastic effect on Chicago. “Baby, it’s Cold Outside” is the song of the week after the mercury plummeted on Wednesday to -30ºC. However, it does make for some pretty pictures.
Record-breaking zero degree weather in Chicago
It is so cold in Chicago, they are even breaking records for hitting the top five list for the longest periods of time with zero degree weather. Starting Tuesday at 6 PM, the temperatures were below zero for 52 hours.
4th longest zero-degree stretch in Chicago weather history
The dangerously cold weather also makes the list as being the 4th longest period below zero in the history of the city and stayed 15 hours longer than the legendary “Chiberia” of 2014.
Flights cancelled at O'Hare Airport
The polar vortex also caused 2,000 flights to be cancelled at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, as the wind chill was threatening to plunge the temperatures even lower. This is combined with the 13 days straight of snow in the city.
Amtrak cancels trains due to icy weather
Trains were also affected with Amtrak halting travel on Wednesday due to the icy weather.
Lake Michigan and Chicago River covered in ice
Photos soon appeared of the iconic Lake Michigan and the Chicago River filled with ice. Apparently the weather also halted pizza deliveries
Schools close in Chicago due to polar vortex
It was snowball time for youngsters after schools in the city were closed, and even the Michigan State University also suspended classes for what was only the 7th time since 1855.
