Niagara Falls FROZE in polar vortex

 

 

Spectacular photographs show the moment Niagara Falls FROZE in polar vortex

The record-breaking chill across the U.S. and Canada was so frigid it literally stopped 

Niagara Falls  in its tracks Tuesday was a day of record-setting cold in Niagara, 

With the mercury bottoming out at a chilling -2F. Combined with the wind chills, 

It felt like -20F thankfully, the freezing air and 'polar vortex' that turned the cascading

 Water to ice will depart during the second half of this week, and a far-reaching 

January thaw will begin

 

The U.S. side of the Niagara Falls is pictured in Ontario Wednesday January 8, 2014

A collection of spectacular photographs have shown the moment the U.S. side of the famous falls

 froze before they could reach the bottom

Thankfully, the freezing air and 'polar vortex' that turned the cascading water to ice will depart during

 the second half of this week, and a far-reaching January thaw will begin, 

according to AccuWeather.com

In the incredible pictures, the Rainbow Bridge is seen with solid ice below it

The 'polar vortex' affected about 240 million people in the United States and southern Canada

 This week. The incredible pictures show frozen mist coating the landscape around Prospect Point 

at Niagara Falls State Park and the Rainbow Bridge is seen with solid ice below it.

Tuesday was a day of record-setting cold in Niagara, 

• with the mercury bottoming out at a chilling -2F. Combined with the wind chills, it felt like -20F.

One would think the icy cold would keep tourists away, but those who enjoy taking photos rugged up to snap the conditions, producing exceptional images they wouldn't otherwise Have an opportunity to capture.

The natural wonder should be looking more like itself come Saturday when temperatures are forecast to be in the 50s, according to Environment Canada.

They also show frozen mist coating the landscape around Prospect Point at Niagara Falls State Park

But the record-breaking temperature didn't deter visitors

Tourists still visited the landmark to take pictures overlooking the falls in Ontario

 

The 'unprecedented' amounts of ice in the upper Niagara River, caused by the freezing conditions,

 caused a so-called ice jam and in turn flooding on Grand Island and Cayuga Island in Niagara Falls.According to historical records, during only one year, 1848, has freezing weather caused the thousands of cubic feet of water per second flowing over the Niagara Falls to run dry, 

an event thought to have been caused by ice jamming and damming upriver,

 according to environmentalgraffiti.com

 

Ice bridges spanning the Niagara River from bank to bank have formed 

as a result of various other chilly winters. In 1936, the American Falls, 

the shallower of the three waterfalls, are said to have frozen over completely.

In 1912, an ice bridge broke apart as several people were crossing it, sending three to their deaths.

In this stock picture, the iconic falls are seen flowing normally in the summer months

One of the earliest images showing a frozen Niagara Falls, in sepia tones, is thought to be from 

1911 or 1912, though skeptics have questioned its authenticity 

because its photographer is unknown

This image of an icy falls is believed to be from 1890 or 1902

Ice bridges spanning the Niagara River from bank to bank have formed as a result 

Of various cold winters. The above photo was taken circa 1936