Overview (2019 - 2023)
The primary causes of death were: extreme cold/cold waves, winter storms bringing snow, ice, and strong winds, as well as road accidents and power outages in homes.

United States (USA)
Source: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), NWS

Major Causes: Winter Storms, Arctic Outbreaks

Brief Data:

2021: Winter Storm Uri (February) severely impacted Texas and southern states, resulting in approximately 210-246 deaths (direct and indirect deaths from power outages).

2022: Winter Storm Elliott (December) resulted in approximately 87 deaths nationwide.

2023: Several periods of extremely cold weather occurred, particularly in the early part of the year. Dozens of deaths from cold-related causes are reported in individual incidents.

5-year estimate: Hundreds of deaths directly and indirectly from extreme cold and blizzards, with 2021 being the year with the most fatalities.

Russia
Source: Russian government report, EM-DAT

Main causes: Sudden temperature drops (below -40°C in some areas), drinking alcohol in the cold, travel accidents.

Challenges: Specific data on extreme cold may not be clearly separated in public reports.

Overall data:

Each year, there are reports of deaths from "hippothemia" and avalanches in Siberia and the Far East.

During the winter of 2022-2023, at least 20-50 deaths from extreme cold were reported from specific incidents (e.g., blizzards in Vladivostok).

5-year estimate: It is estimated that deaths from causes related to extreme cold are projected annually. Hundreds of deaths occur annually across the country due to the vast area and extreme weather conditions.

China
Source: Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, CEMC

Main causes: Severe snowstorms affecting transportation and infrastructure, unusually low temperatures

Brief data:

2020/2021: Severe winters in northern China reported fatalities from accidents and cold-related injuries.

2023: Snowstorm fatalities reported in Xinjiang and Tibet.

Chinese authorities often report more casualties and damages than direct deaths from the cold.

5-year estimate: Deaths from extreme cold and severe snowstorms could range from tens to hundreds over the past five years.

Japan
Source: National Police Commission (Road Accidents), Disaster Management Bureau

Main causes: Road and pedestrian accidents from snow and ice, heart attack from shoveling snow (especially among the elderly), avalanches

Brief data:

During the winter months (December-February) each year, numerous deaths and injuries occur from... Dozens of incidents (mostly men over 65) occur while clearing snow.

Road accidents in areas with heavy snowfall are also a major cause.

5-year estimate: Approximately 60-120 deaths per year from all causes related to snow and cold.

India
Source: Indian Meteorological Department, News Report

Main cause: Cold waves in the northern plains (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh) affect vulnerable populations lacking adequate shelter and clothing.

Brief data:

Each year, particularly in December and January, deaths from "cold waves" are regularly reported.

Official figures are usually given on a daily/weekly basis during periods of low temperatures. For example, in January 2023, over 100 deaths from the cold were reported in Uttar Pradesh alone.

5-year estimate: The highest in this group of countries, potentially hundreds to thousands of deaths annually from cold waves. Depending on the severity of the winter:

Europe
Source: EM-DAT, Eurostat, national reports

Main causes: Polar vortex disruptions, severe snowstorms (e.g., in the Mediterranean), energy shortages/expensive fuels (increasing risk for low-income groups)

Brief data:

2021-2022: Severe winters in some areas, such as Spain, Greece, and Turkey, resulted in weather-related deaths.

2022-2023: The energy crisis may lead to increased indirect deaths from insufficient heating (Excess Winter Mortality).

Eurostat's "Excess Winter Deaths" statistics show that every year in Europe, tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people die in excess winter (from all causes, including influenza), partly linked to weather and lifestyle.

5-year estimate: Direct deaths from extreme cold and snowstorms may be in the hundreds annually, but the indirect increase in winter deaths (Excess Mortality) is far greater.