The m-w word of the day for January 1, 2009 is

frigorific \frig-uh-RIFF-ik\ adjective
: causing cold : chilling

which is a very apt word for today. The high over the past 24 hrs was -20°C (-4°F) according to the KANC METARs. My new favorite piece of apparel is my Salomon boot covers. I've known about boot covers for forever but two days ago was my first time actually wearing a pair. They're easy to put on and my feet haven't been cold yet. I have also started driving in my lobster mitts. It's that cold.

m-w also provides the following background on frigorific:

The chill in "frigorific" comes from "frigus," the Latin word for "frost" or "cold." ("Frigorific" is derived from Latin "frigorificus," the adjective form of "frigus.") "Frigus" has provided us with other icy words as well. It is the source of "refrigerate" ("to keep cold"), and also of the combining form "frigo-" ("cold") and the noun "frigorimeter" ("a thermometer designed for low temperatures"), both of which are primarily scientific and somewhat rare. "Frigus" is also related to the ancestors of "frigid" ("intensely cold"). "Frigorific" is a relatively unusual word and is used considerably less often than its relatives "refrigerate" and "frigid."