Midwest battered by brutal subzero temperatures as second winter storm sweeps U.S.

A second winter storm in less than a week has Midwestern residents bracing for bitter subzero wind chills, while those in the East Coast hunker down under a fresh coat of snowfall.

Temperatures across the Midwest and the Northern Plains fell below zero Sunday morning, but wind chills could drop to minus 50 degrees in some areas, the National Weather Service said. Frostbite can set in on exposed skin within 10 minutes in temperatures that severe, the agency said.

Officials across the country urged people to stay home for any nonessential business and to keep off the roads, with the weather causing impaired visibility and hazardous conditions.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned residents to take caution as the subzero temperatures crept in Saturday night.

"Make sure to check in on vulnerable neighbors, friends, and loved ones," Lightfoot tweeted. "If there's someone you're concerned about, please call 311 to request a well-being check."

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy closed three state-run Covid-19 vaccination sites, in Burlington, Middlesex and Morris counties. A similar decision was made by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who said vaccinations at the Stony Brook and Jones Beach sites on Long Island would be rescheduled for later in the week.

New York City issued a winter storm advisory effective through 9 p.m. Sunday as 6 to 8 more inches of snow was expected. Central Park had already gotten 17.2 inches last week after a nor'easter blew through the region.

At least seven people died in the Northeast, and some cites were buried under several feet of snow.

Slightly warmer days are on the horizon, however. Temperatures were expected to begin rising Sunday afternoon, with only a few daily low temperature records forecast as the week progresses.