Stunning aerial photos show the magical effects of the Siberian Express on New York Spectacular pictures, captured by photographer Spencer Platt, show effects of 'Siberian Express‘ on Manhattan Feature Central Park blanketed in pristine sheet of snow and tugboats negotiating ice floes on the Hudson River . Temperature was so cold on Friday it fell to just two degrees in NYC - breaking the 1950 record of seven degrees It comes as new arctic blast - dubbed 'Winter Storm Pandora' - is poised to strike vast parts of the US this week February 22,2015

The U.S. Freeze of 2015

Magical: This photo, captured by CBS, shows ice floes surrounding skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan, including One World Trade Center

Deserted: Tourist attractions, such as Central Park (pictured), were virtually empty, with residents and visitors choosing to stay indoors

Stunning: The 'Siberian Express' swept into Manhattan, New York, bringing sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice to the region. And as these aerial photos show, its effects were magical - with the city's Central Park blanketed in a pristine sheet of snow

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Iced over: The pictures also include stunning scenes of a frozen-over Hudson River. Above, ice floes are pictured on the water's surface

A tugboat tries to negotiate ice floes on the water's surface as the early morning sun shines over nearby skyscrapers

Another Areal shot of NY Central Park Blanketed in the white stuff: And New York City wasn't the only region to see record-breaking temperatures. On Friday morning, at least 72 records were recorded, from Marquette, Michigan (-26 degrees) :

Drifting: Ice floes are pictured along Manhattan's East River on Friday as the so-called 'Siberian Express' barreled into New York City:

Scenic: the 'Siberian Express' resulted in striking scenes, i New York. Above, more ice floes are pictured on the Hudson River

Dramatic: 'This week ranks among the most intense arctic outbreaks so far in the 21st century for the eastern U.S., and it is certainly one of the most impressively cold air masses we've seen this late in winter,' meteorologist Nick Wiltgen said. Above, George Washington Bridge

Picturesque: The 'Siberian Express' phenomenon was given its name because the winds came in from Russia and traveled over the Arctic Circle, pushing frigid air into Canada and the United States. Above, ice floes along the Hudson River near the George Washington Bridge

A frosty sight: This beautiful shot, taken by photographer Spencer Platt, depicts ice floes on the Hudson River in Manhattan, New York

Visitors look over masses of ice formed around the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. Weeks of sustained cold had visitors marveling from behind scarves and viewfinders at the waterfalls’ glacial buildup and mist-encased trees and lampposts that looked as though they had been sculpted from snow. “I come here every winter but this is the most magnificent,” said Heather Ferrara of nearby Tonawanda, who, with her husband, Joe, braved a morning temperature of minus 7 that

Niagara Falls Frozen over

Buffalo New York

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Niagara Falls frozen over February 2015

A man photographs ice masses formed around the American Falls as seen from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. The scene has become a tourist magnet for the second straight year after several relatively mild winters. Aaron Lynett AP

Michigan - The Rock River Canyon Ice Caves, much better known as the Eben Ice Caves, remain a mystery to many.It seems that this cool little natural wonder of the Upper Peninsula isn’t frequented as much as it could be largely due to the fact that many people just aren’t quite sure how to get there.

Located on the southern shores of Lake Superior, Marquette Michigan Blue Ice