Boiling Water Turns To Snow In Record-Low Weather (Watch)

NORTH CONWAY, NH — Researchers at Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire measured record-low temperature of -34 degrees Thursday morning, with maximum winds of 116 mph pushing the wind chill factor to -89 degrees. To demonstrate just how frigid these temperatures are, they forced one of their researchers to brave the arctic blasts, pour a kettle of boiling water into the wind and record as the liquid turned immediately into snow without touching the ground. (Watch the video above.)

So think about that next time you think your boss makes you take on a tough assignment. At least you're not risking frostbite and third-degree burns at the same time.

The last daily record temperature was set in 1933, the observatory said, at -31 degrees. No word yet on which daring souls were made to freeze in the name of science that year.

According to the observatory's Facebook posts, the effect of boiling water turning into snow can be observed at temperatures as "high" as -10 degrees. (But obviously, anyone at home should avoid playing with boiling water or artic winds!)

As for poor Adam Gill, the weather observer who endured the winds to show this remarkable phenomenon, the Mount Washington Observatory assured viewers that he was well bundled up.

"It might be tough to see but Adam had the yellow shell jacket over one of our EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS parkas, and then actually had a lighter base layer on under that as well!" the observatory wrote to a commenter worried that Gill might have to thaw himself out with a hair dryer.

It also issued a warning about the dangers of these sub-zero temperatures: "You can start to see the initial effects of frostbite after about 30 seconds with permanent damage occurring in as little as 2 minutes."

The Mount Washington Observatory is non-profit dedicated to research and education.

Bitter cold weather has taken hold of much of the northern United States. Wind chill advisories or warnings were in effect for much of New England, northern Pennsylvania and New York on Thursday.

The National Weather Service said that a record-low temperature of 37 degrees was set on Wednesday in International Falls, Minnesota. Temperatures in Minneapolis and states like Iowa aren't expected to top zero this weekend, and it likely will be in the teens when the ball drops on New Year's Eve in New York City.

It was so cold officials in New Jersey canceled a New Year's Day polar bear plunge, in which swimmers dash into the Atlantic Ocean.

Forecasters warn of hypothermia and frostbite from arctic air settling in over the central U.S. and spreading east.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

AP Photo/Jim Cole, File