How Weather Affects COPD Symptoms And What You Can Do About It
Mar 17 , 2025
Did you know that 14.2 million U.S. adults are affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease? If you or someone you care about is one among them, have you ever noticed the symptoms worsen on certain days?
You’re not imagining it—weather changes can play a major role in symptom flare-ups. That’s why understanding how different weather patterns trigger COPD can help you reduce the risk of flare-ups and find ways to cope with your condition no matter the season. In this article, let’s analyze the connection between the weather and COPD exacerbations.
The Weather-COPD Connection
From chilly winds to scorching heat, weather often feels like just a seasonal shift. For many of us, adapting is as simple as layering up, carrying an umbrella, or applying sunscreen. But for people with COPD, the scenario is entirely different.
Research has shown that maintaining a temperature of 21℃ (or 69.8℉) for at least 9 hours per day indoors was associated with a better health status for COPD patients. When it comes to humidity, the EPA recommends maintaining indoor humidity levels between 30-50%. On the other hand, temperature extremes (either hot or cold) as well as sudden shifts in weather and air quality can trigger the symptoms for COPD patients.
How Seasons Affect COPD Symptoms?
Each season brings its own set of challenges for people with COPD. From chilly winter air to pollen-filled spring days, knowing how weather affects your lungs can help you breathe easier all year around.
Spring
Spring brings beautiful blooms—but also pollen, mold spores, and other allergens that can trigger COPD flare-ups.
Tips to stay comfortable:
- Avoid outdoor triggers
- Try to stay indoors on high-pollen days
- Use an air purifier with HEPA filter to minimize indoor allergens
Summer
Research has shown that the hot, humid weather exacerbates COPD symptoms. The study found that for every 1℃ increase in ambient temperature, there is a 2% rise in the risk of COPD flare-ups over the following 2 days.
Tips to stay comfortable:
- Stay indoors so that your body can easily maintain normal body temperature. This helps regulate breathing and reduces shortness of breath.
- Use an air filtration system or a portable air conditioner.
- Stay hydrated.
- If you are living in a humid area, it is better to have a humidifier for your home and bedroom.
- Be physically active.
Autumn (Fall)
While the cooler autumn weather can offer some relief for COPD patients, the season also comes with hidden challenges. Seasonal allergens like ragweed and pollen may trigger asthma-like reactions, and this can lead to respiratory flare-ups. Plus, with the flu season in full swing, it’s more important than ever to stay proactive, monitor air quality and take extra precautions in public places.
Tips to stay comfortable:
- Try to stay indoors during the middle of the day, as the pollen counts will be high.
- Get a flu shot, and this can help COPD patients protect their lungs.
- Wear a facemask when you go out early in the morning.
- Try to remove the leaves as quickly as they fall.
- Use air conditioning instead of opening the windows during the time of high pollen count.
Winter
Many of us feel uncomfortable during the winter season, so there’s no need to single out COPD patients. Cold air and low humidity can constrict and irritate the mouth and airways, making it harder to breathe. The common COPD symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing tend to worsen in the cold weather. On top of that, seasonal illnesses like the common cold and flu, which are very common in winter, increase the risk of serious respiratory infections in patients with COPD.
Tips to stay comfortable:
- When you go outside:
- Dress in layers and wear a warm hat, gloves, and scarf.
- Cover your face and mouth with a scarf/mask.
- Keep moving as this can help you stay warm
- When you stay indoors:
- Always keep your indoor environment at a comfortable temperature.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air you breathe.
- Wear warm clothes even when staying indoors.
- You can try using heated blankets at night.
- Close the windows and draw curtains
- Get the yearly flu shot
- Stay active
- Never skip your medications.
- Avoid triggers such as pollen, strong odors, chemicals, smoke, etc.
- Practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing.
How to Manage Weather Challenges and COPD?
Don’t let the weather hold you back! Here are some ways you can follow to manage your symptoms:
Hot, Humid Weather:
When the weather is hot and humid, you may find it hard to breathe. Humid air has high density due to its high water content. This can increase your body’s airway resistance, and you may need to take more effort to breathe in. The result? Worsening of COPD symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.
According to the National Emphysema Foundation, if the weather is extremely hot and humid, it’s better to stay indoors with the air conditioner on.
Cold, Dry Weather:
When the temperature drops, the air becomes dry and can irritate the airways of people living with pre-existing lung conditions. This can exacerbate coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. When you’re outdoors during cold, windy weather, try covering your nose and mouth with a scarf/mask to warm the air before it reaches your lungs. When you’re indoors, it’s recommended to maintain humidity at 40% by using a humidifier. This can help prevent dryness and breathing easier.
Changes in Air Pressure
Fluctuations in barometric pressure, such as those that occur before a storm, can make the COPD patients feel uncomfortable and short of breath. When air pressure is low, it can reduce oxygen availability, and this can make the already compromised lungs work harder. It’s always good to monitor the weather forecasts to prepare for incoming weather shifts. Continue using supplemental oxygen if prescribed by your healthcare provider.
How Diaphragmatic Breathing Can Help a COPD Patient Fight Against Weather Changes
Did you know many of us are primarily using our chest muscles to breathe? Yes, this suboptimal breathing can invite many breathing problems that we may be unaware of. Diaphragmatic breathing (or belly breathing), involves utilizing the full power of your main breathing muscle, the diaphragm. This can help people with COPD manage their breathing difficulties, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Well, now let’s take a look at what diaphragmatic breathing can do for COPD patients:
- Improves oxygen exchange, which can make breathing easier
- Reduces the strain on the lungs
- Helps clear mucus buildup, which can be worsened by dry or humid weather.
- Activates parasympathetic nervous system, and this can promote relaxation
Optimal Breathing Exercises and Techniques can help you master the art of breathing by helping you involve your belly (diaphragm in particular), ribs, chest, and shoulders each time you inhale.
Can Exercise with Oxygen Therapy Help You Manage COPD?
We all know weather changes are unpredictable, but managing COPD symptoms doesn’t have to be one. One proactive strategy that can make a big difference is Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT). EWOT involves breathing higher concentrations of oxygen while exercising.
Think exercise is off-limits with COPD?
Well, that’s a myth!
While pushing yourself can be hard, moderate activity combined with the oxygen therapy can actually strengthen your lungs and help you better. Here’s how EWOT can help:
- Improves oxygen delivery to the tissues, even in low-oxygen conditions caused by weather shifts.
- Reduces inflammation in the lungs
- Improves your exercise tolerance.
- Strengthens your respiratory muscles
⚠ Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, including EWOT, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions.
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The Takeaway
Now that you know how weather can affect people with COPD, taking proactive steps to minimize exposure to extreme weather conditions can be helpful. Whether it’s cold air tightening the airways, heat causing breathing difficulties, or pollution triggering flare-ups, knowing how to adapt can make a huge difference in the quality of life.
Also, incorporating Exercise with Oxygen Therapy and Optimal Breathing into your daily routine can further improve your lung function and build resilience against environmental triggers.
