Oh, the weather outside is . . .

[Corrine]

The major news in the U.S. the past couple days is the "polar vortex".  This is the best definition from a 2014 description, What is a polar vortex?:

A polar vortex is a large pocket of very cold air, typically the coldest air in the Northern Hemisphere, which sits over the polar region during the winter season.

The frigid air can find its way into the United States when the polar vortex is pushed farther south, occasionally reaching southern Canada and the northern Plains, Midwest and northeastern portions of the United States.

It has really hit central U.S. and has been moving into Western NY today.  Unlike Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, the temperature here isn't quite as cold (currently -3F, feels like -17F with the wind chill) although it is forecast to be colder overnight. 

Hope any LzD friends in the path of this cold are staying safe and warm. 

With friends from around the world, what is your weather like?

[Pierre75]

From Umina Beach, NSW, Australia.

Temperature at 14:53 (my time) it is 38.5C (101.3F) in the shade. It has been over 30C daily and 20C+ at night for 2 weeks if not longer. No rain except for one thunderstorm with 20mm (8in) rain.  ::)

[DR M]

Corrine, something like this??



My weather for the next three days: around 15 C highest and 5 C lowest temperature, without rain, but a lot of Sahara dust. People, especially those with breathing problems, children and elderly, are advised to stay inside.

Pierre, I would like to move to Australia for the rest of the winter...

[plodr]

Loved the cartoon DrM!
Instead of building gas and oil pipe lines, someone should be looking into heat and cold exchange lines. Australia would love some of the US's cold, snow and rain and we'd love some of your warmth and dryness.

Last year, my county had the wettest year in the 150 years that weather records have been recorded. Meanwhile, my friends scattered throughout Australia were suffering one of the severest droughts.

Stay warm or cool depending on what part of the world you are situated in.

[Aaron Hulett]

53 and cloudy in my back yard. Webcam feed available 😀

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KTXLEWIS73

[Corrine]

Although the below freezing temperature is not my favorite, I'll take it over the heat Pierre is experiencing.  The lack of rain isn't good either. 

Fortunately, at least where I am, the temperature didn't drop as low as forecast and, although surrounding areas had wind/snow/white-outs, we didn't.  Even so, what is the saying about waiting a day?  It will be a fe4w days but the long range forecast for Monday is 56F/14C.

[ky331]

It's so cold in Chicago that rail crews are using fire to keep trains going!
https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article225275615.html

[Corrine]

Here are some other examples of the cold:  Polar Vortex: 26 Pictures That Perfectly Capture How Insanely Cold It Is Across The US

[plodr]

It's so cold in Chicago that rail crews are using fire to keep trains going!

I saw a picture of that last night on the local news. I never saw anything like that.