Record-Breaking Cold Wave Gripping Much Of US

A bone-chilling, record-breaking cold wave is gripping much of the United States and authorities have indicated the dangerously low temperatures are to blame in several deaths.

The National Weather Service has issued wind chill advisories and freeze warnings Tuesday for states from South Texas to Canada, and Wyoming east to New England.

Sub-zero temperatures Monday did not deter hundreds from jumping into Lake Michigan in Milwaukee.

Hundreds of people turned out at Milwaukee’s lakefront on a frigid New Year’s Day to take the plunge into Lake Michigan.

The temperature Monday morning was in the single digits, the wind chill made it feel like the minus 20s, and the water temperature was in the lower 30s. That didn’t stop throngs of people from jumping in the water at Bradford Beach as part of the annual Polar Bear Plunge tradition.

People who took a dip in the icy water could warm up afterward with some chili or the heat from a fire pit on the beach. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was treated for any injuries.

Similar events in Kenosha and Port Washington were canceled due to the dangerous temperatures. The Polar Plunge in Chicago was canceled.

Authorities say the exposure to the frigid temperatures is also likely to blame for the death of a woman found dead on the shores of an eastern Wisconsin lake.

Fond du Lac County sheriff’s officials say 27-year-old Lindsey Klima was last seen leaving an ice shanty on Lake Winnebago approximately 100 yards from shore about 1:30 a.m. Monday. The Fond du Lac woman was reported missing about 4:40 p.m. Her body was discovered on shore about 6:30 p.m.

Authorities believe she fell at the shoreline after leaving the shanty.