Arctic Blast Across US Cold Enough to Freeze Dogs to Death, Bring Snow to Florida

Two women take a selfie photo in front of a frozen fountain in Bryant Park on a frigid day in Manhattan in New York City on Dec. 27, 2017. Dangerously low temperatures and wind chills the central and eastern United States are making outdoor activity difficult for many Americans. Little relief from the below normal temperatures is expected the first week of the New Year. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Dangerously cold weather gripped half of the United States on Thursday and Friday, prompting hypothermia and frostbite warnings as temperatures are forecast to remain near record lows through New Year’s weekend.

The arctic blast has already claimed the life of one dog, which was found frozen on a porch in Ohio, according to the Toledo Blade.