In deep Iowa snow, Trump expected to win caucuses in an avalanche

The first stage of the 2024 election takes place amid wind chills of -40F on what is expected to be coldest caucus night ever

A cold coming we had of it. Icy winds blow across the plains, numbing the face and cutting to the bone. Stranded cars and tractor trailers lie abandoned at the side of highways. Snow is piled high on the side of every road in the state capital, where giant icicles hang off buildings. Candidates' yard signs and children's playgrounds have been enveloped by a white blanket.

Welcome to Iowa, often described as the centre of the political universe at this stage of the US electoral cycle, but currently feeling more like the outer reaches of our solar system.