US braces for coldest night in its history

APD NEWS

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Parts of the US are expecting what could be the coldest night in the country's history, with temperatures expected to feel as cold as -35C.

The east coast is in the grip of an Arctic blast with a storm that brought more than a foot of snow, hurricane-force winds and coastal floods.

In Boston, cars were frozen into the ground after floodwater turned to ice, while conditions were so bad in some places that diggers were needed to rescue people.

Sky's US Correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter said "much worse" was forecast for the weekend, including "record-breaking temperatures and strong winds".

The wind and cold air will move through the region from the mid-Atlantic to New England, with wind chill leaving people shivering in what will feel like -35C in the Berkshire Hills area of Massachusetts, forecasters said.

The region may not start to feel warmer until late next week.

The storm began in the Gulf of Mexico and, by Thursday, it had sparked blizzard warnings and states of emergency along the Eastern Seaboard.

Schools and businesses were closed, flights and train travel were suspended, and many thousands of people had their power cut.

Winds of up to 70mph hit, while some parts saw as much as 18 inches (46cm) of snow.

(SKY NEWS)