Relief is on the way.
The Arctic-like temperatures that have paralyzed travel across the Midwest and resulted in an estimated 21 deaths will start rising today, Friday.
Millions of Americans braved historic low temperatures of up to -49 degrees Celsius and airlines were forced to cancel another 2,000 flights on Thursday.
Since Tuesday about 6,000 have been grounded.
However, milder temperatures are on the way.
"By Friday, temperatures in the Upper Midwest will finally rebound to well above zero," the National Weather Service said.
In fact, they could reach the 60s in some areas – about 20 degrees above average for the time of year.
During the cold snap, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was hardest hit with about 700 cancelations, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
The city’s John H Stroger Jr. Hospital said it has dealt with more than two-dozen frostbite victims with the most serious in danger of having fingers or toes amputated.
More than 30 areas across the region recorded their lowest temperatures in history over the past few days.
United Airlines said Chicago O’Hare operations are expected to slowly get back to normal during Friday.
