Videos Show 'Nearly Every Tree' Damaged by Oregon Ice Storms
NewsweekJan 24
Winter Storms Across US Kill at Least 90
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Image copyright: Kevin Dietsch/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images North America
The Facts
Heavy snow and ice, bitter winds, and biting cold have been blamed for at least 90 deaths across the US in recent days.
The weather-related deaths included at least 25 in Tennessee and 16 in Oregon, which remains under a state of emergency following deadly ice storms.
The Spin
Narrative A
While many underestimate the risks of freezing temperatures, the cold snaps wreaking havoc across the US are an expected manifestation of climate change. Since the risk of severe winter storms from the North Atlantic to Central Europe could increase significantly in the coming years, the US and the world must act to mitigate extreme events.
Narrative B
It's easy to blame climate change for the US's current fierce weather. However, the planet's warming trend has nothing to do with the recent severe winter storms. While climate change can slow down the jet stream, its role in intensifying winter storms and cold air outbreaks has yet to be conclusively determined.
