Deadly Winter Storms Claim Over 150 Lives Across US

Extreme cold, heavy snow, and hazardous conditions blamed for fatalities in multiple states

Feb. 28, 2026 at 10:05am

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The 2026 winter season has seen a particularly deadly span of storms and heavy snow, claiming at least 150 lives in the United States over just 32 days. Hypothermia, snow shoveling, motor vehicle accidents, and recreational activities were among the leading causes of death during the two major winter storms that blasted the eastern U.S.

Why it matters

The extreme weather conditions and multiple dangers posed by winter storms have highlighted the need for better preparedness and safety measures to protect vulnerable populations. The high death toll underscores the importance of heeding weather warnings, taking proper precautions, and having emergency plans in place.

The details

The most recent Nor'easter that struck the Northeast on February 22-24 resulted in at least 12 deaths, including 6 attributed to snow shoveling. In Rhode Island, a 21-year-old student died of carbon monoxide poisoning while trying to charge his phone in his snow-covered car. In Maryland, two people were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle. The earlier winter storm from January 23-27 led to at least 30 hypothermia-related deaths due to the prolonged bitter cold. An additional 11 deaths were likely linked to the physical strain of shoveling snow.

  • The three-month meteorological winter that ended in February 2026 saw a particularly deadly span of storms and heavy snow.
  • The most recent Nor'easter struck the Northeast from February 22-24, 2026.
  • The earlier winter storm covered the eastern half of the U.S. from January 23-27, 2026.

The players

Brett Robertson

An associate professor and associate director of the University of South Carolina's Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City.

Charlie Woodrum

The resilience and preparedness lead for the National Weather Service.

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What they’re saying

“Winter storms pose multiple dangers at once, and people often underestimate how quickly conditions can become life-threatening.”

— Brett Robertson, Associate Professor and Associate Director, University of South Carolina's Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute

“Bitter cold lingered for days, and although some of the deaths remain under investigation, at least 30 were attributed to hypothermia during that bout of freezing weather.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“Ahead of winter storms, It's important to have an action plan for your home that includes enduring extended power and water outages that can last up to a week.”

— Charlie Woodrum, Resilience and Preparedness Lead, National Weather Service

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic winter has underscored the need for better preparedness and safety measures to protect vulnerable populations from the multiple dangers posed by extreme winter storms. Heeding weather warnings, taking proper precautions, and having emergency plans in place can help save lives in the face of these deadly weather events.