The U.S. is shivering through one of the coldest Januarys in recent memory. A fierce blast of arctic air has taken over the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, dropping temperatures to dangerously low levels. To make matters worse, a rare winter storm is brewing for the Gulf Coast, where snowfall is a rarity. Over the weekend, heavy snow blanketed parts of the Northeast, with West Virginia seeing up to 16 inches of accumulation. Meanwhile, the Midwest and Great Lakes regions are dealing with bone-chilling cold, with some areas stuck in the single digits. Wind chills are making it feel even colder, prompting warnings to stay indoors when possible. But the winter woes don’t stop there. Starting Monday night, the Gulf Coast and Southeast could see up to 10 inches of snow in some places. For areas like Houston, Texas, this is a rare and potentially disruptive event. Despite the frigid conditions, many Americans ventured out over the holiday weekend. In Chicago’s Oak Street Beach, brave souls captured the icy beauty of Lake Michigan at sunrise. In Washington, D.C., snow blanketed the streets, with pedestrians bundling up against the wind. And in Auburn, Maine, where snow is no stranger, families enjoyed sledding down hills. The cold also caused chaos on the roads. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, a pileup involving several vehicles was blamed on the wintry mix. Across the country, workers and residents are busy shoveling snow and preparing for more to come. Even sports fans felt the chill. In Philadelphia, crews cleared snow during an NFL playoff game between the Eagles and the Rams (the Eagles won, 28-22). Meanwhile, ice fishermen in Vermont ventured onto frozen Lake Champlain, undeterred by the freezing temperatures. As the week progresses, the icy grip of winter shows no signs of loosening. Stay warm and stay safe!