As colder temperatures settle over the northern hemisphere, reactions to the change in weather vary widely.
For some, the transition to a winter wonderland is a welcome escape from summer's heat, while others long for the sunshine and warmth now left behind.
These differences highlight just how subjective emotional responses to weather can be.
While it's no surprise that people have diverse seasonal preferences, describe themselves as running hot or cold, and hold strong views on their ideal temperature, what might be less obvious is how much more emotional responses are shaped by subjective perceptions of the weather than by actual conditions.
Does The Weather Actually Affect Your Mood?
Video by After Skool
A Study on Weather Perception and Emotions
Research published in BMC Psychology explored the link between localized weather conditions and individuals' perceptions of their environments. Participants used a smartphone app to report their impressions of the temperature, how comfortable they felt, and their emotional state while outdoors during the summer.
GPS and time data allowed researchers to connect these subjective responses to the objective weather conditions at the time and place of each survey.
The results were surprising. Across all participants, the relationship between actual weather conditions and perceived temperature or comfort was quite weak. Even on days exceeding 90°F, some individuals felt comfortable, while others found sunny 73°F days too cold.
However, a notable link emerged between discomfort and negative emotions. When participants reported feeling uncomfortably hot, they were more likely to feel tired, distressed, or unhappy. This effect depended on their subjective discomfort—some people found even extreme heat tolerable and thus avoided the emotional toll.
Individual Differences Matter
The study underscores the importance of individual differences in shaping comfort and emotional responses to weather. Physiological factors such as body composition, age, fitness level, and hormones influence thermoregulation, but personality traits may also play a significant role.
For instance, preliminary research suggests that people with higher levels of neuroticism may be more likely to experience negative emotions when they feel temperature discomfort.
The Bigger Picture
These findings raise intriguing questions about why perceptions of temperature and comfort vary so widely. While physiology and personality contribute, much remains to be explored. This area presents an exciting opportunity for further research, especially into how these individual differences interact with emotional well-being.
One practical takeaway from this research is that disagreements over indoor temperatures—whether at home or in the office—lack a definitive right answer. Comfort is highly subjective, so there's no universally ideal thermostat setting.
This highlights that disagreements with roommates or coworkers over thermostat settings during the winter don't have a definitive solution—there is no universally correct temperature. Comfort is entirely subjective, offering a good reason to approach such debates with understanding and flexibility.
