STORM Dylan could pose a “danger to life” as heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph were due to hit parts of the UK early today.

Forecasters warned of flying debris from strong winds in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

13 Britain has been warned Storm Dylan could pose a 'danger to life' as mammoth gusts hit Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

And two-inch downpours will spread from the South West. Temperatures will peak at 13C, with lows tonight of -2C in some parts.

Meanwhile, Brits seeing the New Year in in southern Europe will enjoy sunshine today, with temperatures in Benidorm, Spain, up to 20C.

The balmy temperatures on the continent are in stark contrast to those in the US - which is currently colder than the surface of Mars.

Niagara Falls has turned to ice as temperatures plummet to record-breaking lows — leading to frozen sharks washing up on the beach.

13

13 Holidaymakers basking on the beach in Benidorm, as southern Europe enjoys temperatures of up to 20C Credit: Alamy Live News

It is set to be the coldest New Year in living memory as 220 million Americans wrap up to face lows of -37 degrees Celsius.

The crippling cold has brought transit systems grinding to a halt in Boston while there were 30 crashes in one Michigan county alone on Friday morning due to treacherous icy roads.

Fountains froze over in New York where New Years Eve partygoers are being warned to lay off the booze and bring some hand warmers to see the famous big ball drop in Times Square as forecasters say it will hit -11C.

13 Niagara Falls froze over as temperatures plummeted across the United States Credit: AP:Associated Press

13 Lows are being forecast well into the minus figures even in Fahrenheit this weekend Credit: THE WEATHER CHANNEL

The National Weather Service has warned of hypothermia and frostbite across the country.

A dog in Ohio was found frozen solid on a front porch — while three Atlantic White Sharks have been found frozen solid having been washed up on Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts over the last three days.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said: "We hauled the shark off the beach and it is currently thawing at NOAA Fisheries Service to be dissected later. A true sharkcicle!".

A temperature of -35C was recorded in Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire — the highest peak in the northeastern United States — breaking a record set back in 1933.

13 A shark was found frozen solid on a Massachusetts beach amid the record-breaking temperatures Credit: Atalntic White Shark Conservancy

13 The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said it had found three dead thresher sharks stranded on the shore of the Cape Cod Bay in Brewster, south of Boston, in the last three days Credit: Atalntic White Shark Conservancy

Quechee Gorge waterfall freezes in sub-zero temperatures in Vermont

13 Temperatures reached a crippling -37C in New Hampshire, while Niagara Falls in New York State froze Credit: AP:Associated Press

13 The landmark looked more like Narnia as ice formed across the waterfall Credit: AP:Associated Press

13 Tourists try to keep out the cold as they look over the picturesque scene in Niagara Falls Credit: AP:Associated Press

Such is the extreme cold that some parts of the US are chillier than the surface of Mars.

Data from the Curiosity Rover, which is roaming the red planet, shows temperatures there reached a comparatively balmy -23C on December 20.

Niagara Falls looked more like Narnia as the landmark which straddles the on the border between New York State and Canada froze over.

But the picturesque scenes do not mask the danger as the cold has already been blamed for a handful of deaths.

13 Two chilly women pose for a selfie in front of the frozen fountain in New York's Central Park Credit: Getty Images - Getty

13 Pedestrians wrap up warm ahead of forecasted temperatures as low as -11C on New Years Eve Credit: Reuters

Minnehaha waterfalls freeze over during arctic weather conditions in Minneapolis

13 Snowfall is sweeping across much of the north east United States Credit: THE WEATHER CHANNEL

Blocks of ice form along the Presque Isle State Park shoreline as Lake Erie begins to freeze over in Pennsylvania

An 83-year-old woman died from exposure to the cold after crashing her car in eastern South Dakota.

Meanwhile, organisers are being forced to cancel a long list of New Year's celebrations.

Already winter-weary parts of the nation are dealing with a mounting number of weather-related headaches, from highway pileups to frozen pipes and a rash of car thefts.

Police in the Cincinnati area say a half-dozen cars have been stolen in recent days after being left running unattended by owners trying to warm them up.

Woman tries to kayak down snowy slope in Erie, after record snowfall in Pennsylvania

MOST READ IN US NEWS Exclusive GRIM FIND Cadaver dogs smell HUMAN REMAINS by Carole Baskin's missing husband's lake house NOW SHE’S LOCKED UP Mom jailed for locking 5 starving kids in wooden cages covered in poop DEADLY STRUGGLE Cops shoot black man dead after 'jaywalking' as sheriff says he grabbed gun SAVAGE ATTACK Terrifying moment pit bull mauls girl, 12, until her hero dad fights dog off IN AGONY Bodycam shows Breonna cop groaning after being shot by her boyfriend TOTAL SICKO Perv forced 150 girls to send him pics and vids of them drinking their own pee

Another foot or more snow is on the way in Erie, Pennsylvania, where residents still are trying to dig out from the more than 5 feet of snow that has fallen since Christmas Eve.

A call centre there directing rescuers to help people trapped by snow drifts in the area has been overwhelmed.

Josh Jaeger, a coordinater at the centre, told the Erie Times-News: "The phones have been ringing off the hook".

50 inches of snow falls in just 30 hours in Erie, Pennsylvania

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.