US weather: Fears homeless will freeze to death in lethal -60C polar vortex; Social media users have shared images of homeless people covered in snow and ice as cold weather claims the lives of at least 18 people.

Byline: Neil Murphy

These shocking images show how homeless people have been forced to endure brutal -60C conditions in the US.

At least 18 people have died already during the killer cold snap - and there are fears homeless people will perish if the conditions persist.

Social media users have shared pictures of rough sleepers bundled up in sleeping bags and covered insnowas they attempted to brave the bone-chilling conditions.

Wind chill temperatures have plunged to as low as -60C in some parts, while over 2,000 flights were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Lake Michigan froze over completely and emergency measures to make the city safe were put in place by authorities.

Residents of the city have been warned frostbite is possible in just 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

More than 40 cold-temperature records were broken on Thursday, the coldest morning since the polar vortex moved in late on Tuesday, clinging to a swath of the United States from Iowa and the Dakotas across the Great Lakes region and into Maine.

On Friday, police in East Moline, Illinois, about 160 miles (260 km) west of Chicago, said the weather may have contributed to the death of a FedEx freight driver whose body was found between two trucks on Thursday outside a company distribution hub.

Shivering dog found chained up outside by pool of vomit during -22C polar vortex

"The bitter cold air is going to be pushed up into Canada," said Bob Smerbeck, senior meteorologist for Accuweather.

The Midwest's worst cold snap in two decades was created by the polar vortex, a reservoir of icy air that usually swirls over the North Pole.

Shifting air currents caused it to slip down through Canada and into the U.S. Midwest this week.

Temperatures on Friday afternoon ranged from -28C to -25C, after cities like Chicago experienced sub-zero temperatures for two days and opened additional warming centers for the homeless.

Chicago weather: Good Samaritan pays for hotel rooms for 70 homeless people to escape -21C

Amtrak restored rail service to and from Chicago on Friday, and the U.S. Postal Services resumed mail delivery in six Midwest states.

But while the U.S. Midwest and East Coast thawed out, a fierce winter storm headed towards California, carrying heavy rains and high winds that could touch off city flooding and mudslides.

The cold weather is expected to ease off over the coming days.

"It's got to be an almost 50 degree difference, it feels like spring," said one commuter heading home from Chicago's downtown financial district.

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Credit: REUTERS

Homeless people have been forced to brave the cold

Credit: REUTERS

An ice breaker is seen in Chicago

Credit: REUTERS

Lake Michigan during subzero temperatures