Spring flowers, summer sunshine, fall foliage, and snowy landscapes — watching seasons change can be a delight. But those changes can also trigger migraine attacks. In fact, up to 50% of people with migraine say that weather changes are a trigger.
Shifts in seasons and weather don't affect everyone. But if they trigger migraine attacks for you, there are ways to lessen their effect.
Weather and Other Migraine Triggers
Do rainy days, intense odors, or bright lights trigger your migraine? It's common for environmental factors to trigger or worsen migraine. They include:
- barometric pressure changes
- sunlight
- flickering lights
- strong smells or vapors
- smoking or being around smoke
- extreme cold
- high humidity
- dry and dusty atmosphere
- strong winds
- high elevations
- loud noises
- low-resolution computer screens
- crowded rooms
Changes in your environment that require you to adapt and adjust can also lead to a migraine. That may include traveling, changing schools or jobs, or changes in your diet, sleep, or other routines.
Why Weather Triggers Headaches and Migraine Symptoms
Sudden changes in barometric (or atmospheric) pressure are crucial in hot and cold weather, storms, and rain. Barometric pressure is the weight of the air pressing down on the Earth’s surface. It varies with altitude, temperature, and weather systems, and research suggests it's linked to migraine. Experts believe that people who get frequent headaches are more sensitive to environmental changes. If you get migraine attacks, you may have inherited this sensitivity.
How to Figure Out Your Migraine Triggers
One way you and your doctor can tell if you have weather-related triggers is a headache or migraine diary. Each day, jot down any changes in the weather, such as storms, high winds, or high humidity.
This way, you can look back a day or two before a headache starts and check for signs of what might've triggered it. Then, you could share your notes with your doctor.
You can also use the diary to keep tabs on other things that might be setting off your headaches, such as foods and drinks. Common triggers include chocolate, caffeine, and foods with the preservatives monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nitrates.
When you get a headache, write down:
- Your symptoms: where you feel the pain, how it feels, and any other problems, such as vomiting or sensitivity to noise, smells, or bright light
- The time your headache started and ended
- Any treatment you tried, and whether it helped or made the headache worse
If you notice any early warning signs of a headache, jot those down in your diary, too. Some people have clear signs that a migraine is coming, even as early as 48 hours before the headache strikes. These are called "prodromal" symptoms, and they can include yawning a lot and feeling irritable, depressed, or very excitable. Keep a detailed diary for three months to help see if there are patterns.
How to Avoid Migraine When You're Sensitive to Weather Changes
Here are some tips, along with common migraine triggers they help you manage.
| Stay hydrated. | This helps you manage dry weather and high humidity. |
| Stay indoors. | This keeps you away from the sun's bright light. |
| Wear migraine glasses. | These help protect you from fluorescent and bright indoor lights. |
| Be aware of the weather forecast. | This can help you prepare ahead of time to avoid or manage your weather-related triggers. |
| Monitor barometric pressure. | This tells you if this common migraine trigger is on its way. There are earplugs, apps, and online tools for tracking barometric pressure where you are. |
| Talk to your doctor. | There are no specific medications for weather-related migraine triggers, but migraine prevention medications may help increase your tolerance for weather and other triggers. |
| Limit other triggers. | Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise, avoid any food triggers, and follow the prevention plan that works best for you. |
If your migraines are still chronic, you may consider moving. This option may seem drastic, but moving may be your best choice if weather triggers are hurting your quality of life.
Weather Triggers for Migraine FAQs
How do you get rid of a barometric migraine?
Some over-the-counter treatments may help. They include magnesium oxide, vitamin B12, and coenzyme Q10. See a doctor if your headaches are chronic or if these treatments don't help.
What are the five C's you may try avoiding if you have migraine attacks?
There are five C's that are triggers for some people: cheese, chocolate, coffee, cola, and citrus fruits. At the same time, another set of five C’s can help you manage your migraine: consistency, calm, care, caffeine control, and comprehensive hydration.
Can soft drinks help with migraine?
Maybe for some people, but only in the short-term. Soft drinks that have caffeine may temporarily relieve your symptoms if your migraine is due to blood vessel dilation. But caffeine is actually a migraine trigger for many people. Talk to your doctor about whether you should drink these for your migraine symptoms.
What's the 5-4-3-2-1 rule for migraine?
It's a diagnostic mnemonic doctors use to help identify and diagnose migraine without aura, based on criteria from the International Headache Society. It helps tell if you're having a migraine or another neurological issue. It stands for: 5 or more headaches that last between 4 and 72 hours, with 3 of the physical characteristics and 2 associated symptoms, such as vomiting and sensitivity to light, and 1 "rule out" that your symptoms aren't due to another medical condition.
