Stunning pictures of the polar vortex in the US -

A weather phenomenon called a polar vortex is to blame for the extreme cold temperatures that have recently hit the United States and Canada. The Midwest is the most affected area, with temperatures plummeting to below -46°C (-50°F) in some areas. Despite the biting cold, it is creating some pretty gorgeous landscapes.

Browse through the gallery and see some amazing pictures of the freezing weather.

© Getty Images

Polar vortex 2019 - A satellite image shows the polar vortex covering part of the US and Canada.

© Reuters

Sunrise - Despite the fact that the temperature is dipping to -50ºF (-45ºC) with wind chill, photographers are braving the cold to take a picture of this gorgeous sunrise. 

© Getty

Cracking - A pedestrian takes a photo of the frozen Chicago River.

© Reuters 

Skyline - A pedestrian braves the cold with Chicago's skyline as the backdrop.

© Getty Images

Little house on the prairie - A lone house stands in the midst of a white blanket in Ottawa, Illinois. 

© Getty Images

Ice approaching - Ice on Lake Michigan is slowly enclosing around Chicago.

© Getty 

Lake Michigan - Ice covers Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois.

© Reuters 

Inner-city freeze - A pedestrian walks by the Chicago River during the extreme cold wave.

© Reuters 

Blanket of snow - While a fresh blanket of snow is nothing new for Chicago, the freezing temperatures accompanying it are record-breaking. 

© Getty

Miles of snow - A shot of the snow-covered cityscape of Chicago that expands far into the distance. 

© Getty

Breaking through the ice - A tugboat breaks through the ice on the Chicago River.

© Getty Images

Cross-country skiing - A man cross-country skis in the snow in Buffalo, New York.

© Reuters 

Toiling tugboat - Tugboat James J. Versluis breaks through the frozen waters of the Chicago River.

© Reuters 

Reflections - An eagle-eye view of the serene and freezing Chicago.

© Getty

Ghost town - A man walks along a cold Chicago street.

© Reuters 

Solo traveler - A pedestrian walks along the lakefront in Chicago.

© Getty Images

Sub-zero steam - Steam fills the streets of Chicago as sub-zero temperatures hit the city.

© Reuters 

Billows - A man takes a photo of Chicago's buildings by the frozen lake.

© Getty Images

Snow-covered lane - A car surrounded by snow in Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, New York.

© Reuters 

St. Joseph - Lake Michigan is completely frozen in St. Joseph, Michigan.

© Reuters 

Niagara Falls - The iconic Niagara Falls frozen by the arctic air.

© Reuters 

Horseshoe Falls - Horseshoe Falls surrounded by ice and snow, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

© Reuters 

Branches - Branches in Horseshoe Falls covered in ice and snow at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

© Reuters 

Winter wonderland - The White House at night during winter storm Gia, Washington. 

© Reuters 

Dedication - A jogger runs through the snow in front of the Washington Monument. 

© Reuters 

Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia covered in snow.

© Reuters