Extreme Weather · Public Preparedness · Policy

Massive Winter Storms Are Wreaking Havoc Just When Government Science Is Being Cut

Severe winter storms are now occurring more than twice as often as the 40-year average — and the federal database that tracked them has been suspended.

Published March 16, 2026 · Op-Ed available for publication

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Key Findings

The Data Behind the Trend

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More Than Doubled

Severe winter storms now occur at more than double the rate of the previous 40-year average.

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Five Times Costlier

Average annual damages from billion-dollar winter storms rose more than five times.

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Federal Data Suspended

NOAA's Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database was retired effective January 2025.

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2026 Already Historic

Three major winter storms struck in the first two months of 2026, affecting over 200 million people.

Available for Publication

Op-Ed: Massive Winter Storms Are Wreaking Havoc Just When Government Science Is Being Cut

This op-ed presents NOAA-sourced data on the increasing frequency and severity of billion-dollar winter storm disasters.

The piece is available for publication in national and regional newspapers.

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Data Visualization

U.S. Billion-Dollar Winter Storm Disasters: 1980–2026

Timeline graphic showing U.S. billion-dollar winter storm disasters from 1980 to 2026

Source: NOAA NCEI Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (through December 2024)

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For Editors

This piece is available for publication now.

The op-ed is science-based, NOAA-sourced, and accompanied by a publication-ready graphic. Word count: approximately 750 words. Simultaneous submission available to regional outlets. National outlets please inquire about exclusivity.

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