- Thousands gathered in New York's Times Square more than 12 hours before the midnight countdown to 2018
- NYPD is warning revelers to wear extra thermals, hats and gloves or risk frostbite and hypothermia
- It could be one of the coldest celebrations on record with temperatures expected to drop to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit in Times Square
- Freezing cold weather is also expected to usher in for New Year's Eve celebrations across the Northeast and Midwest as well
- Some New Year's Eve events have been cancelled in parts of the country due to the dangerous low temperatures
By Emily Crane For Dailymail.com
Published: 15:16 EST, 31 December 2017 | Updated: 15:23 EST, 31 December 2017
New York police are warning revelers to suit up in extra thermals, hats and gloves or risk frostbite and hypothermia as the city prepares for one of the coldest New Year's Eve celebrations on record.
Thousands of people had already started gathering more than 12 hours before the midnight countdown to 2018 to see the glittering crystal ball drop in Times Square.
It could be one of the coldest celebrations on record, held under tight security after a year that saw several fatal attacks on large crowds, including one in Times Square itself last spring.
Thousands of people had already started gathering more than 12 hours before the midnight countdown to 2018 to see the glittering crystal ball drop in New York City's Times Square
Partygoers were being warned they would be penned in place for hours and to bundle up in preparation.
The National Weather Service expects temperatures in the middle teens in Times Square at midnight Sunday, with wind chill values that could make it feel like minus 5 (-15 Celsius).
The NYPD tweeted out a checklist for partygoers, including hand warmers, wool socks, thermals and more thermals.
The event could rival some of the coldest New Year's celebrations on record: In 1962 it was just 11 degrees outside, and in 1939 and 2008 it was 18 degrees. The frostiest ball drop on record was back in 1907 when temperatures dropped to 1 degree.
Partygoers were being warned they would be penned in place for hours and to bundle up in preparation
New York police are warning revelers to suit up in extra thermals, hats and gloves or risk frostbite and hypothermia
The police department estimates that it costs $7.5 million to protect the event – with security being tighter than ever before
The National Weather Service expects temperatures in the middle teens in Times Square at midnight Sunday
Extra police and fire personnel will be around Times Square to monitor weather conditions and the safety of those in attendance to outdoor events.
The police department estimates that it costs $7.5 million to protect the event – with security being tighter than ever before.
Garages in the area will be emptied of cars and sealed off and detectives are stationed at area hotels working with security officials to prevent sniper attacks.
Thousands of uniformed officers will line the streets, while cement blocks and sanitation trucks will block vehicles from entering the secure area where spectators will gather.
Revelers must pass through one of a dozen checkpoints where they will be screened and then screened again as the make their way to the main event.
A frozen fountain is shown amid the freezing temperatures in Bryant Park in New York, New York Saturday afternoon
People are bundled up as they walk in Washington Square Park in New York, New York during the Artic blast
Freezing cold weather is also expected to usher in for New Year's Eve celebrations across the Northeast and Midwest as well.
Some events have already been cancelled due to the frigid weather, including the New Year's Eve gathering at the village of Orchard Park near Buffalo in upstate New York.
The weather service predicted lows would hit minus 20 degrees to minus 30 degrees (minus 7C to -34C) from Montana into the Dakotas and Minnesota, which is well below average.
Temperatures could drop to around zero (minus 18C) as far south as the northern border of Oklahoma on New Year's Day.
They will stoop into the minus 30s near the Canadian border over the next few days.
Icy roads will make travel difficult over much of the United States, from the south-central states of Texas and Oklahoma and eastward over Arkansas.
Kevin Deiner of Erie, Pennsylvania pushes his Ford Escape out of the deep snow on Saturday
Ron Rodney of Erie and his daughter Leah, 4, climb the stairs behind Strong Vincent Middle School in Erie, Pennsylvania while sled riding Saturday
Timothy Gigone, 51, of Erie, Pennsylvania skis south on Sassafras Street near the intersection of West 14th Street on Saturday
Ice and snow were seen at an abandoned Niagara Falls on Saturday
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