Video: watson/Emanuella Kälin
January 28, 2026, 12:15 p.mJanuary 28, 2026, 12:15 p.m
An exceptionally strong cold wave has reached the Niagara Falls region, causing temperatures to drop to as low as -55 degrees. This is due to a so-called polar vortex outbreak, through which arctic cold air is pushed both into deeper layers (troposphere) and to the south. The extreme cold is currently causing large masses of ice to form, which are drifting over the waterfalls with the current.
The last time Niagara Falls was completely frozen over was around 90 years ago. In January 1936, extreme temperatures of below -20 °C prevailed for weeks, which had the northeast of North America firmly in its grip. The water in Lake Erie to the south was close to freezing at the time and only remained liquid because of its constant movement. This condition lasted around 15 days.
Despite the current cold spell, it is considered very unlikely that Niagara Falls will freeze over completely again.
According to Niagara National Park, a sheet of ice may form, but the water beneath it will continue to move.
Video: watson/Emanuella Kälin
(emk)
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