Midwest: Temperature plunges below zero, 5 dead

Temperature in the Midwest dropped below zero on Wednesday.

According to CNN, the residents of the Midwest states have been warned about the almost instant frostbite due to the temperature. Some state offices have been shut and postal services won't be functional in 10 states.

Thousands of flights have been cancelled along with dozens of train services, mostly in and out of Chicago.

72 per cent of the US population will witness the temperature drop below freezing over the next few days. A quarter of the US population will experience subzero temperatures at some point between Wednesday and Monday.

At least, five deaths have been reported in connection with the extreme weather conditions this week. Authorities have urged people to stay in and keep themselves warmed up as well as to check up on the elderly and vulnerable in what experts are describing as "the coldest air in a generation.