US elections 2024 polls LIVE: Final numbers in ahead of Iowa Caucus

A final poll out of Iowa set the stage for Monday’s caucuses — with Donald Trump taking a predictably commanding lead.

The survey, conducted by NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom and released on Saturday night, ranked the contenders as follows: Mr Trump — 48 per cent; Nikki Haley — 20 per cent; Ron DeSantis — 16 per cent; Vivek Ramaswamy — 8 per cent; “Not Sure” — 5 per cent.

The poll was conducted between 7 and 12 January with a sample of 705 likely Iowa caucusgoers. It found that 68 per cent of respondents had made up their minds on who to back on Monday — which 25 per cent said they could still be persuaded.

As for level of enthusiasm, 32 per cent reported being “extremely enthusiastic” — including 49 per cent of Trump supporters, 23 per cent of DeSantis supporters and just 9 per cent of Haley supporters. That metric could have a significant impact on Monday as severe winter weather continues to wallop the Hawkeye State.

Iowans are preparing for the coldest state caucus <a rel=«nofollow» target="_blank" href=«https://twitter.com/brandonlaw_wx/status/1746842584725512533?ref_src=» https:>on record

, with several inches of snow and arctic temperatures across the state on Monday.

The caucus is a much-anticipated event considered the beginning of the presidential election season. The Iowa Republican caucuses will determine how many of the state’s 40 Republican National Convention delegates each candidate will get.

Nearly all of Iowa is under a wind chill warning through caucus day into Tuesday, with some regions reaching as low as –35F (-37C). The National Weather Service said the temperatures are “life-threatening” and capable of causing frostbite in just ten minutes.

The coldest wind chills are expected to hit