Forecasters warned of hypothermia and frostbite from arctic air settling in over most of Canada and the northern United States.
In Canada, extreme cold warnings were issued for scores of communities across the country, including the heavily-populated provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
In the US, a homeless man froze to death at a bus stop in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, local media said, quoting police and a homeless charity.
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While Toronto reported temperatures of -15 Celsius and Ottawa -25 Celsius, the coldest spot in Canada was -42.8 Celsius in Armstrong, Ontario, according to Environment Canada.
People ice skate in Quebec City as an extreme cold warning went into effect on Wednesday. Photo: Agence France-Presse
A couple embraces as they brave the cold weather for a walk in Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Extreme cold warnings are issued “when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia”, the government agency said.
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The temperatures were 10 to 20 degrees below what is normal for the season, said meteorologist Alexandre Parent with Environment Canada.
The deep cold is forecast to remain until early January, he said.
