Meteorologists have predicted that Lake Erie may freeze over before the end of the year, as a frigid blast of cold air causes temperatures to plunge over the Great Lakes.

Arctic air was setting up the “potential for a quick freeze-up” of the lake, the Weather Network reported, which would be the first time since 2000 that the lake has frozen in December. It usually freezes over in mid-January.

Parts of the US are experiencing colder than usual temperatures and historic amounts of snowfall, with International Falls, Minnesota, seeing a record low of -36 degrees Fahrenheit (-37 Celsius) on Wednesday morning. Extreme-cold advisories have been issued in parts of the northeast, west, the Midwest, and New England.

The harsh weather conditions were expected to continue through to the new year. Credit: Facebook/John David Sydenstricker via Storyful