The United States has experienced nearly 50 deaths related to cold weather conditions in 2024, with another arctic blast anticipated over the weekend. As of Friday, approximately 95 million people are under winter weather warnings nationwide, resulting in 47 deaths since January 12, surpassing the total cold weather death toll of 22 in 2022.
Tennessee has reported the highest death count from cold weather, with 16 deaths. Oregon witnessed nine deaths, while Illinois recorded six, and Washington state and Mississippi reported five each. Additionally, three deaths occurred in New York state, with one death each in Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The majority of Tennessee deaths occurred during a winter storm that claimed at least 14 lives. In Oregon, three people died on Wednesday after being electrocuted by a downed power line while attempting to help a man who had slipped on an icy driveway.
The specific details of the five deaths in Washington state have not been released, but the cause of death was exposure to cold temperatures. Seattle is currently experiencing below-freezing temperatures.
The Midwest and eastern U.S. are gearing up for another cold weekend, with temperatures ranging from the 20s to 30s in Washington, D.C. The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center warns of an Arctic air outbreak, noting that while it won’t be as frigid as the last outbreak, temperatures and wind chills will still pose hazards across a significant part of the region.
This weekend brought the first major snowfall to Washington, D.C., and New York City in nearly two years, with ongoing snowfall expected in New York City throughout the weekend and snow projected in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
