Preference for the Cold (hot, warm, ice, record)

[lentzr]

I have noticed that some people prefer the cold weather over heat and humidity while some prefer the heat over cooler tempatures. It seems as if there are more of the latter since so many people are moving to the sunbelt. However, are there any statistics on these preferences? What about based on demographics, age, income, education, gender, etc?

[cruxan]

weather that is below 60f is to cold in my book.. i like weather thats in the range from 60f to 80f

[ColdCanadian]

Few Canadians prefer "cold" over general "heat"... (1-in-5 Canadians perhaps?)

60-80 F cruxan? Brr!...
In the shade, that's more my idea of "spring weather" or "long-sleeve/sweater weather."

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by lentzr

I have noticed that some people prefer the cold weather over heat and humidity while some prefer the heat over cooler tempatures. It seems as if there are more of the latter since so many people are moving to the sunbelt. However, are there any statistics on these preferences? What about based on demographics, age, income, education, gender, etc?

There have been a few surveys on here and it's pretty much a wash. About the same percentage of us prefer warm weather as the ones who prefer cold weather.

But something I've noticed is that the things we think about when a word is mentioned is different. For instance, if you say, "Autumn" to someone who lives way down south, their thoughts are something like, "What a relief after these past 4 months of 100 plus days or from months of humidity." Their mind starts thinking about the lovely 50, 60, 70 degree days that they have to look forward to.

But if you mention autumn to someone from the northern part of the country, some of us are thinking, "OH NO!!!! After our three months of above freezing temps, it's back to zero with a windchill of 40 below."

Of course, both paragraphs are a bit exaggerated, but you get the idea. Also, I'm not so sure that any of us like the extremes. I love the heat, but once it's 90 or 100, it's not that enjoyable. I would rather put up with it though and be able to have warmer winters. When we have very cold spells up north, the cold weather lovers often comment that it's probably colder then they'd enjoy, too. But I'll bet some of them would tolerate it to avoid 6 months of a hot and humid summer.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Jammie

But something I've noticed is that the things we think about when a word is mentioned is different. For instance, if you say, "Autumn" to someone who lives way down south, their thoughts are something like, "What a relief after these past 4 months of 100 plus days or from months of humidity." Their mind starts thinking about the lovely 50, 60, 70 degree days that they have to look forward to.

But if you mention autumn to someone from the northern part of the country, some of us are thinking, "OH NO!!!! After our three months of above freezing temps, it's back to zero with a windchill of 40 below."

Exactly...

Here autumn means a general lack of sunshine,
highs in the 50's, 40's and sometimes 30's, F
temps at 60+ F become exceedingly rare
(though some years might hit 60's, even 70's F for a day or two)
an increase in overall windspeeds and dampness.

Even when you don't consider the temps,
our autumn sky conditions are not something most people will enjoy.

And then add to that the shock of suddenly going to most highs in the low 50's and 40's F
from mostly highs in 70's to low 80's F,
its easy to get a lot of cranky people.

So we get kind-of-nasty weather for a few months...
and then it turns even colder for another 3-4 months.

*At least for most of the South, autumn tends to be sunnier and drier, as well as cooler. For people who love heat, a Southern autumn is probably either a "wash", or "not too bad a compromise" compared with a Southern summer.

[ma barker]

Cooler weather is fine with me. I could do fine in temps around 50-60 degrees. Its when it starts to hit 90 and above I start to melt like an ice cream cone in the desert. No thanks.

[tasmtairy]

I used to love the cold, now not so much. I like the heat better. I get achy in the cold. I can handle the humidity well too.

[Jammie]

OK, I have a question. When Lentzr said, "Cold", what temp was everything thinking about when they replied? I guess I was thinking about temps well below freezing~maybe zero-ish.

[AZtoWhere]

I'm from SoCal, but I've lived in the D.C. area and have lived in PHX for the last 20 years. For the record.....I pretty much hate it at least six months out of the year. It starts heating up in mid-March and just keeps getting worse right up until October, when it drops below 100 and then we have to wait until November for temps to drop into the 80s and below. We get about three months of acceptable weather (less than 75) until February, when it starts heating up to 80 again. I love it when it's in the 60s, but enjoy the cold (40s to 50s)!

We went on a road trip vacation last month and everywhere north of Louisiana was cold (40-60 during the day) and we LOVED it! It was also raining a good deal of the time, which we appreciated, up to a point. We are trying to find a place to retire to and move our horses (TBs), but we also want a place where we can make a living if we need to and someplace with affordable acreage....and green....and not too humid. In other words, we're looking for property on Fantasy Island, but Mr. Rourke is not returning my calls.

[Future Trooper]

Originally Posted by lentzr

I have noticed that some people prefer the cold weather over heat and humidity while some prefer the heat over cooler tempatures. It seems as if there are more of the latter since so many people are moving to the sunbelt. However, are there any statistics on these preferences? What about based on demographics, age, income, education, gender, etc?

It's in my genes to prefer the cooler weather. I absolutely despise temperatures above 85.I prefer temperatures around 65 and below.