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The polar vortex has hit the U.S

Some parts of the country are colder than the surface of planet mars!

The "polar vortex," as one meteorologist calls it, is expected to send cold air piled up at the North Pole down to the U.S., funneling it as far south as the Gulf Coast and driving temperatures below freezing for most of the nation. 

Forecasters expect a weekend warm-up in some areas before temperatures plunge again, sending wind chill temperatures in areas in North Dakota and Minnesota to minus 50 degrees by Saturday night.

Those states are notorious for their cold winters, but states in the Mid-Atlantic and New England can also expect wind chill temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees.

Cities and states are already taking precautions. Minnesota called off school for Monday statewide, the first such closing in 17 years, because of projected highs in the minus teens and lows as cold as 30 below. Milwaukee and Madison, Wis., students also won't be in class Monday. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple urged superintendents to keep children's safety in making the decision after the state forecast called for "life threatening wind chills" through Tuesday morning.

It would take all of five minutes to get frostbite in minus 50 degree condition.  

Besides the cold air, meteorologists are also eyeing another snowstorm that might form over the Midwest this weekend and potentially dump 6 to 12 inches of snow. The storm is expected to turn to rain as it makes its way east.

At least 16 deaths were blamed on the storm as it swept across the nation's eastern half on Friday, including three people who officials said died because of the extreme cold. 

Meanwhile, some cities saw record lows on Friday. In Wisconsin, a record low temperature was set in Green Bay, where the mercury dipped to minus 18. The National Weather Service said that topped the 17-below-zero mark last recorded in 1979. 

Sunday's playoff game in Green Bay could be among one of the coldest NFL games ever played. Temperatures at Lambeau Field are expected to be a frigid minus 2 degrees when the Packers and San Francisco 49ers kick off, and by the fourth quarter it was a bone-chilling minus 7, with wind chills approaching minus 30. Officials are warning fans to take extra safety measures to stay warm including dressing in layers and sipping warm drinks.

Warming centers opened around the region, homeless shelters saw larger crowds and cities took special measures to look after those most vulnerable to the cold. Outreach teams were searching New York City streets for homeless people at risk of freezing to death.

 And though this cold spell will last just a few days as warmer air comes behind, it likely will freeze over the Great Lakes and other bodies of water, meaning frigid temperatures will likely last the rest of winter.

Here are just a few tips to help you stay warm this winter:

Clean like you’ve never cleaned before.

I know, I know. You are probably not thrilled that my first recommendation is for you to go on a cleaning spree. But, hear me out. When you clean, blood starts pumping through your body which, in turn, heats you up. Now, I’m all for rest, but instead of lounging around shivering this winter, be productive and warm at the same time. Plus if you deep clean your home now, it may save you some valuable time during the next Spring Cleaning season!

Use the dryer.

While you’re in the cleaning mood, wash pillows, blankets, comforters and anything else that may not be in your usual routine. Then, use your dryer during the coolest part of the day. You’ll have a clean home plus you’ll be warm from the dryer heat.

Use the self-cleaning option on your oven.

Speaking of random cleaning tasks, winter is the time to use the self-cleaning feature on your oven. Oven temps can rise to over 600 °F so you definitely don’t want to use the self-cleaning feature during the warmer months. Instead, save that task for the colder months so it can work with your home furnace or heater instead of against it.

Cook, cook, and cook some more.

Once your oven is clean, you might as well use it, right? Try out new recipes or get ahead on your baking.

Rotate your ceiling fan.

If you have them, rotate your ceiling fans to reduce your gas and electric bill. In the winter months, you want the blades to turn counterclockwise (this looks clockwise when looking up towards the fan) so you don’t feel the breeze.

Wear wool hiking socks around the house.

Wool socks go a long way in terms of staying warm. Many hikers use them while on their excursions to help with body heat. Paying $20 for a good pair of wool socks is a little much but a lot cheaper than the hundreds you will spend on a heater bill each month.

Dress in layers.

 Dressing in layers may seem like an obvious way to keep warm but so often we neglect this step at home. Its one thing to add a few layers when we go outside but it’s completely different when we’re hanging out inside. Add thin layer’s that won’t bulk up and make you real uncomfortable.

Utilize blankets.

It doesn’t matter which blanket you have because there are tons of great ones available, but using a blanket (or 2 or 3) is a great way to reduce your heating expenses while staying warm.

Install a programmable thermostat.

Installing a programmable thermostat will cost you some money up front, but you will most definitely recoup the cost in a short while. It will allow you to adjust the heat on a preset schedule by lowering the temperature when you’re not home or sleeping and raising the temperature when you’re home. It would be well worth the time and investment to install a programmable thermostat.

Sip a hot drink.

Sip a hot drink. If you’re going to lounge around and read a few blogs you might as well stay warm and full at the same time. Plus, drinking something like hot tea will help eliminate the need to much on food. That may not be a problem for you but I’m all about finding ways to cut out the munching!

http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/01/06/sub-zero-temperatures-due-to-freeze-midwest-monday/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10552977/What-is-a-polar-vortex.html

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/polar-vortex-pushes-subzero-temps-midwest-21430443

http://housewifehowtos.com/save-money/30-frugal-ways-to-stay-warm-in-winter/