Even though we live in New Orleans, winter weather here can get pretty cold! I’ve had many northern friends scoff at the idea of being cold here only to visit learn what “humid cold” is all about. Shivering, they complain that the cold has gotten through their clothes even though they’re bundled up. It’s a bit mind-boggling to visit a place that rarely sees below-freezing temps and dress like you’re going out in the snow. But as all the locals know: staying warm in humid cold weather is tougher than it seems!

At LOOP NOLA, we run outdoor programming year-round. So we’re no strangers to extreme temperatures. The summer gets brutally hot and feels like it’s going to last forever. In the winter, the wind chill and humidity can be biting and make the air seem so much colder than it really is. In both cases, knowing how to dress appropriately and plan ahead makes spending time outside a lot more enjoyable.

Humid Cold vs Dry Cold

To everyone who has spent time outdoors and thought that humid cold just felt colder than dry cold: you are correct!

Dry cold air does tend to feel warmer than the same temperature in humid cold air. In the Gulf South, we’ve got humid air most of the time. This makes our summer temps feel extra hot and our winter temps feel extra cold. 

So how does humid air change the perceived temperature?

And why does our clothing make a difference?

Heat typically moves from high-temperature objects to low-temperature objects, not the other way around. So in the case of our bodies in the winter, we are the high-temperature objects (98.6 ℉) and everything around us is the cold-temperature object. The air, your clothing, anything you touch that’s less than body-temperature: it’s all trying to suck the heat from your body. This is why we feel cold in the winter. 

Our clothing helps keep us warm by trapping air between the fabric and our bodies, eliminating any chance of a breeze. When the air is trapped and uncirculated, it can’t remove heat from our bodies. If the air was left to flow freely -- like if you weren’t wearing a jacket at all -- the breeze would pass over your skin and quickly remove the heat from your body. When we wear clothing, it both blocks the outside breeze and traps the inside air. 

Initially, the trapped air does suck a little heat from our bodies, but then it just stays in place. This slightly-warmed air helps us stay warm inside of our jackets. In dry cold weather, this is pretty much the end of the story. Feel cold. Put on a jacket. Warm up the air inside the jacket. Feel warm. Done!

In humid cold weather though, there is a little moisture in the air and a little moisture in our clothing. This moisture creates the extra-cold effect. It takes more energy to heat water than it does to heat air. So, it takes more energy to warm the air that’s trapped by your jacket, and it takes even more energy to keep the jacket from sucking the heat from your body. This is why it’s harder to stay warm in humid cold weather. The moisture is removing extra heat from your body.

Tips for staying warm in humid cold weather

If we wait for perfect temperatures before we go outside, we’ll be stuck inside most days. We’ve discussed the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors in earlier blog posts, so we already know that it’s a good idea to get outside. By wearing the right clothing and planning ahead, cold days don’t have to be a deterrent to the outdoors. It is possible to stay warm in humid cold weather.

Here are a few tips for staying warm outside:

Wear layers

When you’re playing outside, you can work up a sweat surprisingly fast. You don’t want to add moisture to your clothing on a day that’s already humid. By wearing several layers of clothing, you have more options to take off clothing if you start sweating or add clothing if you get cold. 

Don’t wear cotton

Cotton retains moisture more than most other fabrics, so it will make you feel colder than most other fabrics will. Wool is one of the best fabrics fabric for retaining heat even in humid conditions. Synthetic materials used in fleece jackets are pretty good at repelling moisture as well. 

“Accessories” matter

Clothing like scarves, neck gaiters, gloves, and beanies make a huge difference! Keep your extremities warm. Wearing thick wool socks is a great way to help your feet stay warm in humid cold weather. You can also buy some warming packs to put in your shoes to keep your feet toasty. 

Bring a warm beverage

If you’ll be outside for a while, bring a thermos with something warm like hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. This will help warm you up if you’re getting chilly.

How do I find the right clothing for humid cold weather?

If you are a New Orleans local, you can find quality outdoor gear at Massey’s Professional Outfitters in Mid-City. They’ve got a variety of clothing and accessory options from reputable brands, and you can shop can shop online or in store. If you feel overwhelmed, their sales associates can help you find what you need. Brands like The North Face offer a wide range of clothing styles that will suite almost any climate and outdoor activity. By purchasing clothing from local shops and reputable brands, you help sustain an industry that’s committed to preserving the outdoors.

However, money shouldn’t be barrier to staying warm outside. Don’t feel like you have to spend a ton of cash on the right clothing to stay warm in humid cold weather. If you’re willing to dig a bit, you can find a lot of these clothing items at a secondhand store or on sale at a department store. Even if you are looking for reputable outdoor brands, you can often find clothing on sites like Steep and Cheap and can get quality gear at discounted prices. If you plan ahead and prepare, you’ll be ready for cold weather and can still have fun outside.

LOOP NOLA offers outdoor adventures for children, teens, and adults. We operate year-round in heat, cold, and everything in between. To find out more about outdoor adventures in the New Orleans area, contact us today.