Niagara Falls frozen in time amid cold snap

Parts of the spectacular Niagara Falls have been frozen as Canada and North America shiver through record-breaking temperatures.

Images show sections of the natural wonder in Ontario covered in sparkling icicles, as some rugged up tourists brave the cold to capture the stunning scene on camera.

Temperatures in Toronto are currently at -17C, which is nearly more than 15C lower than the average temperature for December.

The frigid weather, which has seen the mercury drop to as low as -67C with wind chill factor considered, has triggered some events to be cancelled in the lead up to New Year’s Eve.

Among the ditched festivities is the annual Lobster Dip in Maine, which has been rescheduled for the first time in 30 years.

However, the famed NYE countdown in New York City is still going ahead as planned, with revellers have begun gathering for the iconic ball drop.

"Hundreds of thousands have withstood very cold weather over the years for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we expect this year to be no different," Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance which puts on the event, said.

The coldest New Year's Eve in Times Square came in 1917, when it was -17C at midnight. This year, the forecast is for -11C  degrees with a wind chill around -17C, which would tie for second with 1962.

City and state health officials are advising people to cover all exposed skin, and wear a hat, scarf and gloves. Drinking alcohol is discouraged because it causes the body to lose heat faster.

The bitter temperatures this week have been blamed for several deaths and road crashes, along with reports of frozen sharks and cold-shocked turtles.

Read more: Sharks are freezing solid in US cold snap

With AP