January 7, 2025
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Cold weather is killing more people, especially adults
Rising temperatures could change the atmosphere in ways that cause extreme winter weather, scientists say
A homeless person walks near the US Capitol during a snowy January 6, 2025 in Washington, DC
KLIMAWIRE | Temperatures plunged along the East Coast on Tuesday after a winter storm dumped heavy snow from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic, signaling the dangers of an extreme winter even as the planet warms rapidly.
Winter temperatures are on the rise overall, but research indicates that hot spots and snow events may occur more frequently in some parts of the US, likely due to atmospheric changes associated with global warming.
At the same time, cold-related deaths are on the rise in the US.
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A study published last month in the year Journal of the American Medical Association found that cold-related mortality has been on the rise over the past two decades, and especially since 2017. The study analyzed death statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and concluded that adults, including Native Americans, are particularly vulnerable in Alaska. Native and Black communities.
The study did not delve into the reasons for the increase. But he suggested several factors may be at play, including an increase in homelessness, substance abuse and social isolation, which could make some populations more vulnerable to winter weather.
Some experts say that warming temperatures themselves may be playing a role.
People across the country are adjusting to higher temperatures, including warmer winters, said Northern Illinois University meteorologist Victor Gensini, who was not involved in the new study. When winter storms come, some people may be unprepared.
“When the cold comes, it comes with a little more tenacity,” he said. “You need a little more acclimatization.”
The study also suggested that an increase in the frequency of extreme winter weather may be part of the story.
Winters are generally getting warmer across the country. The latest National Climate Assessment, a major report published annually by the US government, indicated that winters are warming twice as fast as the rest of the year in some countries. However, some studies indicate that winter storms may worsen in some regions, such as the Northeast, as the climate warms.
The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet, and the rapid warming in the far North is allowing the flow of the jet stream to change, allowing the cold air mass to burst into the mid-latitudes more often.
The exact physical mechanisms are still a matter of debate among scientists, Gensini said.
“But we have found some physical links behind why a warming climate could lead to more frequent cold extremes in the mid-latitudes,” he added. “There’s certainly literature that suggests that’s plausible.”
Reprinted E&E News Courtesy of POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2025. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environmental professionals.
