A month into the year has seen inclement weather across the United States. Winter storms have seen temperatures plummet and snowfall burying cities. The flight cancellations and spiked heating bills are obvious effects, but such weather also carries less obvious risks. Periods of heavy snow and cold can lead to a range of health concerns, including respiratory problems. Below, we cover how bad winter weather affects respiratory health, particularly in people with asthma, COPD, allergies, or a history of respiratory infections.
How Bad Winter Weather Affects Respiratory Health
Cold Air Irritates the Airways
Cold winter air is both dry and dense. As you breathe such air, your body responds in drastically different ways from inhaling warm, humid air. Most immediately, cold air causes the airways to tighten and narrow. This response (called bronchoconstriction) may not feel very noticeable for some people. However, if you have certain respiratory conditions, it can trigger symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.
Furthermore, cold air can irritate the lining of the lungs, leading to inflammation. As a result, mucus production can also increase. Together, these also trigger asthma exacerbations called cold-induced bronchospasm.
An Increase in Airway Triggers
Snowstorms visibly change the landscape around you, but they also lead to invisible changes. Most notably, cold air can lead to temperature inversions. Normally, pollution from cars, fireplaces, and industrial areas rises due to heat.
Temperature inversions from cold air can cause this pollution to remain stuck near ground level. This trapped pollution leads to an increase in particulate matter in the air, which can trigger airway irritation. The air might feel crisp and fresh, while in fact it is carrying invisible risks for asthma or COPD exacerbations.
These factors (cold, irritating air and pollution) can become particularly worse during exertion. With snowstorms, shoveling snow becomes a core part of the day. Light shoveling might not pose an issue, but shoveling that requires heavy exertion can. You will find yourself breathing deeper and fasting, pulling in more of the problematic air around you.
Viruses Spread More Easily
Viruses pose another invisible threat that increases with inclement winter weather. The worse the weather is outside, the more likely people will remain indoors. Extended periods indoors not only increase close contact but also elevate risk due to poor ventilation. Viruses (e.g., cold, flu, RSV, COVID) can spread more easily between individuals.
Additionally, cold air can weaken local immune defenses, particularly in the nose and airways. So while cold weather does not technically make you catch a cold, it does create an internal environment more vulnerable to the causative organisms.
Indoor Air Quality Drops
The colder it is outside, the more we seal up our homes. This keeps the cold out, but it also keeps everything else inside. We already mentioned viruses, but dust, pet dander, and mold can also build up inside. Homes with a fireplace may also see a rise in indoor emissions, despite the comfort they offer.
Who Is Most at Risk in Winter Weather?
These issues can affect the general population, but certain groups can see a notably elevated risk. Winter respiratory problems hit harder for:
- People with asthma, COPD, or emphysema
- Young children (smaller airways are more vulnerable)
- Adults over 65 years old
- Anyone recovering from a recent respiratory infection
How to Offset These Risks & Protect Your Lungs in Winter
The weather is out of our control, but you can still take important measures to increase your family’s well-being.
- Cover your nose and mouth: Even a thin scarf or mask will help warm winter air before it reaches your lungs.
- Breathe through your nose: Whenever outside, breathing through your nose will naturally warm and humidify the air slightly. It also helps protect your lungs from pathogens.
- Use a humidifier indoors: Your heating system can keep you warm, but it also dries the air further. Using a humidifier to reach 30–50% humidity indoors can offset this.
- Take prescribed inhalers: Adhere extra carefully to your asthma or medical regimens, particularly before outdoor activity.
- Avoid heavy exertion: Avoid things like snow shoveling or outdoor sports if you have lung disease.
- Stay up to date on vaccines: Flu and respiratory vaccines are offered yearly, serving as first-line defense against potentially dangerous infections.
NYC’s Top-Rated Asthma Doctor
If you or your child’s respiratory health has worsened this winter, additional treatment efforts may be required. Dr. Mayank Shukla has served NYC for years as a leading asthma doctor and pediatric pulmonologist. He is offering appointments and taking new patients throughout the winter to help NYC breathe easier.
References
- D’Amato M, Molino A, Calabrese G, Cecchi L, Annesi-Maesano I, D’Amato G. The impact of cold on the respiratory tract and its consequences to respiratory health. Clin Transl Allergy. 2018;8:20.
- Hyrkäs-Palmu H, Ikäheimo TM, Laatikainen T, Jousilahti P, Jaakkola MS, Jaakkola JJK. Cold weather increases respiratory symptoms and functional disability especially among patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):10131.
- Koskela HO, Koskela AK, Tukiaineu HO. Bronchoconstriction due to cold weather in COPD: the roles of direct airway effects and cutaneous reflex mechanisms. Chest. 1996;110(3):632-636.
