Stories from individuals, including a Brooklyn resident and a Greenville, NC resident, show how extreme cold affects daily life, with issues like frozen pipes and higher utility costs.

A nationwide AP-NORC poll finds that about 60% of U.S. adults say they or their households have been personally affected by severe cold weather or winter storms in the past five years, up from roughly 50% a year earlier.

Scientists note that while global warming raises average temperatures, disruptions to Arctic polar vortices can trigger extreme cold outbreaks, a phenomenon connected to broader climate change dynamics.

السكان report higher utility costs and disruptions: around 70% say electricity or gas bills rose due to winter conditions, roughly 40% have experienced work or school cancellations, and about 30% faced travel cancellations or delays in the past year.

The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,156 adults from February 5–8, 2026, using NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, with a margin of sampling error of ±3.9 percentage points for the full sample.

The survey period was February 5–8, 2026, conducted via NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, with a margin of sampling error of ±3.9 percentage points for the overall sample.

Experts emphasize that the increased heating during extreme cold drives higher utility costs, even as electricity prices trend higher nationwide.

About 30% have experienced power outages and a similar share have faced travel cancellations or delays during cold spells, underscoring infrastructure and mobility challenges.

In short, roughly 1,156 adults were polled, yielding a margin of error of about ±3.9 points for the overall results.

Higher energy costs are linked to the heating needs of cold spells, and experts say rising electricity prices are amplifying concerns about the cost of living.

Personal anecdotes illustrate impact, such as a Brooklyn landlord reporting pipes froze after 15 years without freezes, highlighting infrastructure stress during severe cold.

Others describe financial strain from extreme conditions, like a North Carolina resident whose utility bill doubled, reflecting the broader tariff and usage pressures.