Home / Editor's Pick /

Weather myths: Can you actually catch a chill?

02:00 AM
November 30, 2022

Weather myths
Can you actually catch a chill?

Cold man

We all have fond memories of being told we'll 'catch a chill', or worse, if we go outside without a coat, but can you actually catch an illness from the cold?

We all associate winter with colds and the flu, and that is for good reason. But it's not actually the lower temperatures that directly cause an illness. While people do tend to catch viruses leading to a cold more often in winter, it is largely to do with the effect the weather has on our behavior, rather than the weather itself.

When the temperature drops and snow or rain arrives, we are more likely to spend time indoors with others, increasing the risk of infection.

Cold weather may also reduce our first line of defense - our nostrils. Viruses often get trapped in the mucus inside our noses, with the tiny hairs.

These tiny hairs, called cilia, work to prevent viruses penetrating any deeper. However cold weather can make cilia less efficient, and they actually stop 'beating' entirely below 39.2 F.

Additionally, when you are cold, especially in your nose, blood vessels constrict, reducing the ability of white blood cells from our immune system to wipe out viruses. So while you can't catch a chill, the cold weather does indirectly make catching an illness more likely.

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
Dark sky full of stars. Several shooting stars fly in different directions – typical of a meteor shower.
Attention not translate yet!Saturday, August 16, 2025

Night sky photos

Night sky in the spotlight
Dust cloud over Tucson alongside weather radar showing thunderstorms in Arizona.
Sunday, August 31, 2025

Fascinating phenomenon

Dust storm hit Phoenix last week
Perseid meteor shower and airglow above the Seemannskirche church in Prerow.
Sunday, August 10, 2025

Perseids flying overhead

Spot a meteor shower before its peak
All weather news
This might also interest you
Friday, September 12, 2025

Stormy Rockies

Stormy Rockies
Downburst shown on the WeatherRadar.
Sunday, September 14, 2025

Downbursts

What are they & why are they dangerous
Monday, September 15, 2025, Daily Briefing
Monday, September 15, 2025

Daily briefing

Summer heat returns
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.com

instagramfacebookthreadsContact uslinkList
Privacy policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement