Record Winter Weather Caused Major Economic Impacts In The U.S.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Unusual weather across most of the United States last winter created huge and generally positive impacts to the nation's struggling economy.

Nationally, an estimated $21 billion in benefits included lower heating costs, a reduction in snow-removal costs, increased construction income, reduced transportation costs, fewer insurance losses and increased retail sales. Most of the $0.5 billion in losses were realized by the tourism industry and by decreases in sales of snow-related equipment and winter clothing.