MigrAid Press Kit
Media resources for the 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index and MigrAid coverage.
The Study
The first 100-city migraine risk analysis since Sperling's 2006 study. MigrAid scored the 100 largest U.S. metros on a four-factor composite: season length, trigger diversity, severity of pressure events, and baseline atmospheric stability.
Top 5 Findings
- Denver leads the nation in weather-driven migraine risk with a score of 73.78 — nearly 2.96× the national median (24.94).
- The Mountain West is America's migraine epicenter. Five of the 10 highest-risk cities sit at elevations where baseline atmospheric pressure is materially lower than sea level.
- November is America's worst migraine month. 80 of 100 cities list it in their peak-trigger season.
- California dominates the best-cities list, taking 5 of the 20 most favorable metros. San Diego ranks #100 (lowest risk).
- The American migraine year has twin peaks — late fall (October-November) and spring (March-April) — both driven by active frontal passage seasons.
Top 5 Most Challenging Cities
| Rank | City | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | 73.78 |
| 2 | Colorado Springs, CO | 62.98 |
| 3 | Flagstaff, AZ | 59.44 |
| 4 | Santa Fe, NM | 47.5 |
| 5 | Duluth, MN | 45.93 |
Top 5 Most Favorable Cities
| Rank | City | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | San Diego, CA | 6.25 |
| 99 | Bakersfield, CA | 12.11 |
| 98 | Tucson, AZ | 12.34 |
| 97 | Fresno, CA | 13.43 |
| 96 | New York, NY | 13.92 |
Methodology (Brief)
Four weighted factors: Season Length (40%), Trigger Diversity (25%), Severity of Pressure Events (25%), Baseline Stability including altitude (10%). Scored from city-level atmospheric data, published weather patterns, and peer-reviewed migraine trigger literature (Headache 2023; Frontiers in Neurology 2025; Cureus 2025). Full methodology and the complete 100-city ranking are in the full report.
Downloads
Press Contact
Ross Salimov, Founder
MigrAid · Salimov Studios
Email: salimovstudios@gmail.com
Available for interviews, commentary on weather-driven migraine research, and city-specific data cuts.
About MigrAid
MigrAid is an iOS migraine tracking application that helps users identify personal triggers, forecast elevated-risk days, and share symptom data with their healthcare providers. The app integrates local barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature data with user-logged migraine history to produce 48-hour personalized risk forecasts.
MigrAid is built by Salimov Studios. The 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index was compiled by MigrAid's research team from city-level atmospheric profiles, publicly available weather data, and peer-reviewed migraine trigger literature.
Boilerplate
MigrAid is a migraine tracking and forecasting iOS app that uses local weather data — barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature — to generate personalized 48-hour risk forecasts. The company publishes the annual U.S. Migraine Risk Index and makes city-level atmospheric data freely available at migraid.app/risk/.