Like almost all inaugurations before, Donald Trump had been hoping to swear the oath in front of a crowd of a million or more on Washington DC’s National Mall. However, the whole inauguration will now be moved indoors due to predictions it could be the coldest such event for 40 years.

Temperatures in Washington DC are expected to sink as low as -13C and not peak any higher than -5C as an Arctic storm blows through.

Mr Trump will now be sworn in within the Capitol Building instead.

“I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

President Regan’s second inauguration was held in the Capital Rotunda due to a forecast of -14C temperatures and a wind chill factor taking it down to -32C. The presidential parade was held in a sports arena.

“We will open Capital One Arena (a local stadium) on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In,” Mr Trump added.

“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country.

“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!),” Mr Trump posted.

In 2017, Mr Trump’s staff claimed he had the biggest inauguration crowd ever on the National Mall. This was despite images suggesting far fewer people had spectated compared to either of Barack Obama’s ceremonies which were each estimated to have got more than a million people.

Moving the ceremony indoors will mean Mr Trump does not not get the chance to better Mr Obama’s numbers.

Mr Trump is due to hold a rally in the Capital One Arena on Sunday.