Can cold weather in Miami make you sick? Your body can change in the chill
Another cold front is coming to South Florida.
Miami-Dade and Broward temperatures are forecast to plunge into the 40s on Friday, Jan. 16. And if you think that’s cold, Orlando will be in the 30s and Tallahassee in the 20s.
So, how does South Florida deal with the cold?
We’ll wrap up in our heaviest coats and caps, and warm our bodies with churros and hot chocolate.
And maybe we’ll get sick. Health experts say being outside in the chill can make us ill because germs jump more in the cold.
The University of Miami’s UHealth system says research shows that people’s immunity is affected by colder temperatures: “The germ-fighting cells in our noses — often our first line of response to the threat of a virus — don’t battle the intruder as well when the temperature drops.”
UHealth says that a drop of just nine degrees can cut our virus-fighting capabilities almost in half.
And that’s on top of a heavy flu season, which has been making us sicker this season.
South Florida doctors are keeping busy with more patients suffering from a cough, fever and other symptoms as a quick-spreading influenza strain bouncing across the country. Florida is among the states with “very high” levels of influenza-like illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why do we tend to get sick more often in winter?
A study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information outlines several factors that contribute to increased illness during colder months:
- Virus behavior: Some viruses thrive in cold, dry air, making winter an ideal season to spread.
- Indoor gatherings: Cold weather drives people indoors, where close quarters make it easier for viruses to transmit from person to person.
- Respiratory effects: Cold air can irritate airways, especially in people with asthma or chronic lung conditions, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections.
- Immune system changes: Some research suggests that cold temperatures slightly reduce the effectiveness of our immune cells, so we are less equipped to fight germs when we contract them.
Can cold weather impact health at all?
So, was Grandma right about bundling up in the cold to ward off a cold? Sort of. Although cold weather isn’t the cause of illness or disease, it certainly can worsen it.
Dr. Haitham Khraishah, a preventive cardiologist at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute in Cleveland, warns against exposure to extreme weather. Although most of us in South Florida aren’t likely to deal the winter weather for extended periods, the cold can be dangerous, acting as a catalyst for certain conditions.
Most common cold weather conditions:
- Hypothermia
- Cardiovascular issues
- Respiratory problems
- Frostbite
- Increased susceptibility to illnesses
Besides staying warm, how can I stay healthy this winter?
Bundling up is good for comfort and preventing hypothermia, but it won’t necessarily prevent you from catching a virus. Healthy people are less likely to be affected by very low temperatures, so the cold is not as much of a threat.
Particularly vulnerable individuals or those with weakened immune systems shouldn’t take unnecessary chances in winter.
Tips for staying healthy:
- Get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
- Practice good hygiene, including frequent hand-washing.
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
- Dress appropriately for cold weather to avoid hypothermia.
- Stay hydrated, as cold air can be very dry.
Cold can affect multiple body systems, and prolonged exposure can lead to serious injury, so Grandma wasn’t entirely wrong. Her advice to dress warmly, cover your head and hands, and layer strategically does have merit in that it is extra protection when temperatures drop.
It’s not the cold itself that makes you sick, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to layer up when the temperature drops.
And in Miami, eating piping-hot churros can warm a belly, too.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 11:01 AM.