The plunging temperatures across the US this week will leave people at risk of frostbite within just five to 10 minutes of bare skin being left uncovered.
More than 135million people have been warned of trepidous Arctic conditions ahead of one of the busiest days for travel.
Citizens from the east to west coasts have been warned, including residents as far south as the Mexican border and fro
Flights have been cancelled and Americans are being told to avoid travelling by road as the storm turns nasty.
It could become the iciest Christmas in decades as temperatures plummet to -45C (-50F) and -70F (-56C) by the end of this week in some parts of the country.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has now warned that there is a risk of frostbite, which could even affect people in the inner cities.
At temperatures below -0.55C, freezing conditions can cause frostbite - which is when skin and tissue is damaged due to exposure.
As warm blood stops pumping to the extremities, tissue freezes and can leave amputation as the only option.
While it can affect any part of the body, the hands, nose, ears and lips are most at risk.
Meteorologists said yesterday the winter storm could become a "bomb cyclone" by Friday.
A bomb cyclone is a type of storm that explodes as central air pressure drops rapidly during a 24-hour period.
In a White House briefing yesterday, President Joe Biden said: "This is not like a snow day, when you were a kid, this is serious stuff."
Along with the bitter chill, the Arctic storm will also bring bracing winds.
States of emergency have been declared in New York, North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia and Oklahoma. Wisconsin called it an "energy emergency".
The NWS said Americans should brace for temperatures considered "life-threatening" because of the severity of the enormous bombarding storm.
“Much of the country will see dangerous cold over the next few days, and it will arrive suddenly with a powerful Arctic front,” the National Weather Service Prediction Center warned in a Tweet.
“Travel may become difficult immediately behind the front with bursts of snow and gusty winds leading to sudden whiteouts, flash freezing, and icy roads.”
The front of cold air is moving down from the Arctic, sending temperatures plunging.
