Bold opening: Cold spells aren’t just weather—they’re shaping daily life for millions across North America, and this winter may be signaling bigger shifts ahead. But here’s where it gets controversial: how much is climate change really driving these bitter stretches, and what does that mean for our energy use and policies?
Millions kicked off 2026 facing unusually brutal cold, a trend that has many people recalling winters of their youth. In Brooklyn, New York, 58-year-old Chris Ferro described pipes that had never frozen for 15 years suddenly freezing during January and February. His multiple rental properties in Albany suffered from days of below-freezing temperatures that stalled repairs and renovations. He was grateful none of the pipes burst, and he noted that this winter’s bitter chill felt similar to his childhood winters, contrasting with the comparatively milder winters he’s seen in recent years.
A new AP-NORC poll finds that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they’ve personally been affected by severe cold weather or major winter storms in the past five years—up from roughly half who reported such effects in a February 2025 poll. The data suggest that experiences with extreme cold have become more notable in people’s lives, whether through actual events or heightened perceptions following a massive winter storm that hit the East Coast and caused widespread power outages in the South.
Because the first quarter of the 21st century has been unusually warm overall—largely attributed to human-driven climate change—extremely cold winters are less common, and many Americans are encountering them with greater intensity and unfamiliarity. Younger Americans, in particular, may find such cold spells more jarring after years of milder winters.
Past summer holidays already indicated a rising intolerance for heat: a separate AP-NORC poll from mid-2024 found about 7 in 10 U.S. adults experienced extremely hot weather or heat waves in the preceding five years.
The latest survey highlights several concrete disruptions caused by cold weather over the past year:
- About 7 in 10 Americans say their electricity or gas bills were higher than usual due to winter storms or extreme cold.
- Roughly 4 in 10 experienced a cancellation of work or school because of winter weather.
- About one-third faced a power outage at some point, and roughly 3 in 10 dealt with travel cancellations or delays.
People’s experiences vary by region. For example, about 6 in 10 Midwesterners and 4 in 10 Northeasterners reported work or school cancellations, compared with 15% of Western residents.
Personal stories highlight the financial strain of cold snaps. Annie Braswell, 66, of Greenville, North Carolina, said January and February felt like winters not seen in 40 years, and her utility bill doubled compared with normal. She contrasted this with last summer’s heat, when many days exceeded 100°F (38°C). Braswell reflected on coping with extreme temperatures by taking life one day at a time, acknowledging that some things are beyond immediate control.
Higher heating and cooling needs naturally push up utility costs, and electricity prices have been rising across the United States. A separate AP-NORC survey from October 2025 found that nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults view electricity costs as a major source of stress. Climate advocate Bill McKibben argued to AP that rising electricity prices could have a significant political impact.
The cold weather has affected broad swaths of the country. Roughly 6 in 10 people in the Midwest, about half in the South, and around 4 in 10 in the Northeast reported work or school interruptions due to winter weather, while only about 15% in the West reported such impacts.
Linking cold spells to climate change, the survey shows that among all respondents who experienced severe weather in the past few years—including extreme heat, droughts, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more—about two-thirds attributed at least some link to climate change. Views on this connection vary by political affiliation, with Democrats and independents more likely than Republicans to connect extreme weather to climate change.
Scientists note that while global warming raises average temperatures, it also contributes to more erratic weather patterns. Disruptions to the Arctic polar vortex, driven by accelerated Arctic warming and diminishing sea ice, can occasionally push unusually cold air southward, even as overall temperatures rise.
Across the board, the vast majority of Americans—about 80%—have experienced some form of severe weather in the past five years. While extreme heat and extreme cold are the most frequently reported events, other hazards like droughts, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and tornadoes have also touched communities nationwide. Yet, there are no strong partisan gaps in how people report having experienced extreme weather, though political beliefs color interpretations of its causes: roughly 8 in 10 Democrats who experienced severe weather linked it to climate change, versus about 4 in 10 Republicans.
Methodology note: The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,156 adults from February 5–8 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to reflect the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is ±3.9 percentage points.
This coverage is supported by contributions from private foundations to The Associated Press, with AP retaining full control over content and editorial standards.
Would you say your community has felt the impact of these cold spells more as a noticeable weather change or as a broader climate trend? Do you think policy changes around energy, infrastructure, or housing should respond more to short-term weather costs or long-term climate resilience? Share your thoughts in the comments.
