A sudden onset of freezing temperatures struck the entire north-eastern United States beginning on this day. Temperatures of nine below zero were reported in New York City, said to be the coldest in seventy years. Sunrise temperatures stood at 26 below in Bangor, Maine, 21 below in Montpelier, Vermont, and 20 below in Buffalo, New York. Further south, in Philadelphia, the mercury stood at three below. (By John Osborne)