Last winter, during one of those brutally cold Ohio mornings, I found myself thinking about my old colleague Jim. He’d packed up and moved to Arizona years ago, and whenever we’d talk on the phone, I could practically hear the sunshine in his voice. “You should see me, Farley,” he’d say. “I’m a different person out here.”

At the time, I figured he was just bragging about escaping the snow. But after doing some reading on how climate affects personality, I’m starting to think Jim wasn’t exaggerating. Research shows that people who prefer warm weather over cold tend to display some fascinating personality traits. And I don’t just mean they complain less about shoveling driveways.

Let me walk you through what I’ve learned.

1) They tend to be more naturally extraverted

Here’s something that surprised me: research involving over 1.6 million people across different regions found that folks who grew up in warmer climates score higher on extraversion compared to those from colder areas.

Think about it this way. When it’s warm outside, you’re more likely to leave the house, strike up conversations with neighbors, join outdoor activities. Cold weather? You’re bundled up, rushing from car to building, minimizing contact with the outside world.

During my morning walks with Lottie, I notice this pattern every spring. As temperatures rise, suddenly everyone’s out. The park fills with people, conversations happen naturally, and even I find myself chattier than usual.

A study in Psychology Today explains that people raised in climates closer to 72 degrees Fahrenheit showed higher levels of sociability and comfort with interpersonal interaction. The warmth literally draws us out of our shells.

2) They’re often more emotionally stable

I spent 35 years in middle management at an insurance company, and let me tell you, I could always tell who’d just gotten back from a warm vacation. They handled stress differently, rolled with the punches better.

Turns out there’s science behind this observation. The same research found that moderate temperatures are associated with greater emotional stability. Extreme cold or heat, on the other hand, tends to increase fatigue and irritability, which can chip away at our ability to stay emotionally balanced.

When you’re comfortable temperature-wise, you’re not fighting your environment. You’ve got more energy left over for managing life’s curveballs. Makes sense when you think about it.

3) They display higher agreeableness

Ever notice how people seem friendlier at summer barbecues than winter office parties? There’s something about warmth that makes us more cooperative and kind.

Research suggests this isn’t just coincidence. Warm temperatures activate the same brain regions associated with interpersonal warmth and trust. Physical warmth and social warmth are more connected than we realize.

I see this every Sunday when my five grandchildren visit for pancakes. On nice warm days, they’re more patient with each other, more willing to share, less prone to bickering. On cold, dreary mornings? The squabbles start before I’ve even finished mixing the batter.

Scientists call this the “embodied cognition” effect. Our physical sensations influence our emotional states and behaviors more than we’d like to admit.

4) They’re more open to new experiences

My wife and I went through marriage counseling in our 40s, and one exercise had us listing the adventures we’d taken together. Almost every single one happened in warm weather or warm climates. Hiking, trying new restaurants with outdoor seating, visiting new cities in summer.

Psychology researchers have found that clement temperatures encourage people to venture outside and explore their environment, which builds openness to experience over time. When you’re cold, you hunker down. When you’re comfortable, you’re curious.

This makes evolutionary sense. Our ancestors needed to explore and learn during favorable conditions. That same instinct lives in us today.

5) They tend toward optimism

There’s a reason we talk about “sunny dispositions.” Warm weather genuinely seems to foster more positive thinking.

I’ve mentioned this before, but one of the books that stuck with me over the years discussed how sunlight affects our brain chemistry. Exposure to warmth and light triggers serotonin production, that neurotransmitter tied to feelings of happiness and well-being.

During my Thursday chess games with Bob at the community center, I’ve noticed we’re both more optimistic about our game strategies on bright, warm days. On cold, gray afternoons, we’re more defensive, more focused on what could go wrong.

It’s not that warm-weather lovers are delusional. They just have a neurochemical advantage that helps them see possibilities instead of obstacles.

6) They’re generally more conscientious

This one threw me at first. You’d think cold weather would make people more careful and organized, right? But the research tells a different story.

Studies show that extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, increase fatigue. And when you’re tired, it’s harder to be organized, to follow through, to maintain the discipline that conscientiousness requires.

I learned this the hard way after knee surgery at 61. During my recovery in the middle of winter, I found it nearly impossible to stick to my physical therapy routine. Come spring, when I could do exercises outside in pleasant weather, suddenly my consistency improved dramatically.

Moderate warmth gives us the energy we need to be our most responsible selves.

7) They’re more physically active

Walk through any park on a 75-degree day versus a 30-degree day, and the difference is obvious. Warm weather people aren’t just more social, they’re literally more in motion.

I volunteer at the local literacy center, and I’ve watched attendance patterns over the years. Spring and fall, when temperatures are pleasant, we get twice as many people showing up for programs. Deep winter and mid-summer? Numbers drop.

Physical activity feeds into all sorts of positive personality traits. It reduces anxiety, improves mood, builds confidence, strengthens social connections. Warm weather lovers have more opportunities to reap these benefits.

8) They show greater flexibility and adaptability

As I covered in a previous post about raising resilient kids, flexibility is one of the most valuable traits a person can have. And warm weather seems to encourage it.

Think about cold weather behavior. You plan everything around staying warm. You’re rigid about schedules, reluctant to deviate from the plan. Warm weather? You can be spontaneous. Plans can shift without major consequences.

This behavioral flexibility, practiced over and over, becomes personality flexibility. People who prefer warmth often handle life’s surprises with more grace because they’ve had more practice adapting to changing conditions.

9) They’re naturally more prosocial

Here’s something I found fascinating: research shows people are more helpful and generous in pleasant weather. Psychologists call this “prosocial behavior,” and it’s strongly linked to warmth.

During my weekly poker nights with the guys, I’ve noticed that charitable giving comes up more often in conversation during spring and summer. One of our regular players, Tom, organizes a community fundraiser every year, and he’s learned to schedule it for May because that’s when people are most willing to contribute.

The research backs this up, showing that physical warmth makes us feel more socially connected, which in turn makes us more likely to help others.

10) They have better cognitive flexibility

This last one connects to my woodworking hobby. I’ve noticed that I approach projects differently depending on the season. In winter, working in my cold garage, I stick to familiar techniques. In warmer months, I’m more willing to try new methods, make creative decisions.

Turns out there’s research on this too. Pleasant weather has been shown to broaden cognitive style, making people more open to new information and creative thinking. Cold weather tends to narrow our focus, making us more rigid in our thinking patterns.

It’s not that cold-weather people can’t think creatively. It’s that warm conditions seem to give our brains permission to wander, explore, make unexpected connections.

Conclusion

Now, does all this mean you should pack up and move to Florida? Not necessarily. These are tendencies, not destinies. And remember, the research suggests the sweet spot is around 72 degrees, not scorching heat.

But it does make you wonder. Next time you’re feeling stuck or closed off, maybe what you need isn’t a new strategy. Maybe you just need some sunshine.

What temperature makes you feel most like yourself?