Does cold weather give you a cold?
Supported by research. Yes, the evidence supports cold weather exposure as a factor that raises the risk of catching the respiratory viral infections that cause the common cold. Based on 5 scientific papers. Confidence: 90/100.
Strong, consistent scientific evidence supports it.
Why the evidence says so
- Lower temperature and humidity are associated with higher rates of viral infection.
- Several studies indicate that drops in ambient temperature come before human rhinovirus outbreaks.
- Clinical and epidemiological data support a correlation between cold climates and greater transmission of respiratory viruses.
The evidence, claim by claim
01Supported by researchCold weather exposure increases the risk of contracting the common cold.
Cold weather exposure increases the risk of contracting the common cold.
“Exposure to cold weather increases the risk of catching a cold.”
Several of the provided studies and reviews indicate that lower temperature and humidity, typical of cold weather, are associated with a higher risk of human rhinovirus and other respiratory viral infections that cause the common cold.
Sources
Climate Factors and Their Effects on the Prevalence of Rhinovirus Infection in Cheonan, Korea
2021 · Research · Dong Kyu Lim, Bo Kyeung Jung
A Decrease in Temperature and Humidity Precedes Human Rhinovirus Infections in a Cold Climate
2016 · Clinical Trial · Tiina M. Ikäheimo, Kari Jaakkola
Seasonality and Climatic Factors Associated With Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus Nasopharyngeal Sample Positivity on Oahu, Hawai’i, 2016-2019
2023 · Research · Raymundo Marcelo, Michael B. Lustik
Temporal trends in respiratory pathogens following the COVID‐19 pandemic and climate variables: A unicentric retrospective evaluation of 24 pathogens in a temperate subtropical region
2024 · Cohort Study · Sérgio Renato da Rosa Decker, Jonas Michel Wolf
Seasonality of Respiratory Viral Infections
2020 · Review · Miyu Moriyama, Walter Hugentobler
What the evidence doesn't show
Environmental factors increase how much virus circulates, but infection still requires exposure to the specific pathogens.
Questions people ask
Yes, the evidence supports cold weather exposure as a factor that raises the risk of catching the respiratory viral infections that cause the common cold.
Lower temperature and humidity are associated with higher rates of viral infection. Several studies indicate that drops in ambient temperature come before human rhinovirus outbreaks. Clinical and epidemiological data support a correlation between cold climates and greater transmission of respiratory viruses.
Environmental factors increase how much virus circulates, but infection still requires exposure to the specific pathogens.
EvidenceLens matched the claim against 5 papers from its research index and weighed the evidence for and against it. Verdicts describe the strength of the evidence, not medical advice.
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5 scientific papersPublished on after passing our automated evidence checks; not individually reviewed by an editor. Evidence check generated . Read how we check claims, including what the verdicts do and do not mean.
Verdicts describe the strength of published research, not medical, legal or financial advice. AI-assisted analysis can contain errors; open the sources before making important decisions. Spotted a problem? Request a correction.