Cold winter in America sparks fears of energy crisis

It’s so cold in parts of the US that frost is forming on people’s faces and no one wants to stand outside for longer than a few seconds. It’s just that cold.The cold snap is happening because of a weather system called a polar vortex.
This phenomenon happens when a circulation of strong winds that normally surround the northern pole lock in freezing temperatures. The system pushes south as it grows larger. Weather stations across the U.S. Midwest reported some of the lowest temperatures in twenty years–which caused many school closings and flight delays. The cold air has been racing south and east. In New York City, temperatures dropped more than 40 degrees in the last 24 hours. But there are warnings for places that could reach as low as negative 60 degrees fahrenheit or NEGATIVE 51 DEGREES CELSIUS! In Washington, DC where it’s usually warm in comparison to northern states, temperatures were in the single digits. Too cold for most people to even do the usual sightseeing. Thousands of flights have been canceled throughout the US. Schools and businesses have also been shuttered with health concerns in mind. Officials are advising Americans to stay inside whenever possible or layer clothing if one must be outside.There are further worries that sustained cold could cause an energy crisis. Oil output is being threatened in some of the US’ biggest oil producing states to Canada.