Millions Brave Arctic Blast to Ring in the New Year

Across the country millions are starting off the new year with arctic cold temperatures.

An artic blast brought below-zero temperatures from the northern plains to New England making New Year's Eve one of the coldest in years.

But that did not stop hundreds of thousands from joining the big celebration in New York City.

Forecasters said temperatures would hit the teens by the time the ball dropped in New York City.

The NYPD also braved the cold in Times Square as heavy security was in place.

"The NYPD is always taking every precaution that is humanly possible so we're comfortable that they are doing everything that needs to be done to make sure that people here in Times Square are safe," Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, said.

Residents in the midwest wouldn't even consider standing outside to ring in the new year. Parts of Minnesota are seeing -30 to -40 windchills.

The freezing temperatures created problems for rescue crews responding to a freight train derailment in Casselton, N.D.

An explosion from the wreck shaking the homes of nearby residents. In Wisconsin the extreme cold is especially hard on the homeless.

Brian Currie is staying the night at shelter and said the cold makes the nights difficult.

"Trying to stay as warm as you can, and it's hard to do," he said.

When it gets below zero, shelters give out meals and a warm place to sleep. Sometimes even to people banned in the past.

"Frankly, on nights like tonight, we just make room. We just make room," said Steve Schooler, a shelter organizer:

Forecasters say the bitter cold temperatures will last through the end of the week. With predictions of a major winter storm moving through the midwest and into the northeast by Thursday.