How Weather Affects My Voice — And What I Do About It

As a voice coach, performer, and someone who relies on my voice not just for singing but for teaching and communicating every day, I’ve come to realize something simple but profound: the weather has a huge impact on how my voice behaves.

Most people think about warming up, breath control, or hydration—and don’t get me wrong, those are all essential. But even when you’re doing everything “right,” the weather can still throw your voice for a loop. Over the years, I’ve learned to track how different conditions affect me and adapt accordingly. So today, I want to share a bit of my personal experience—and a few tips—for how to stay vocally strong no matter what the forecast says.

1. Cold, Dry Weather – The Vocal Assassin

Let’s start with winter, shall we? Cold air holds less moisture, and indoor heating dries things out even more. When you combine those two, you’ve got a recipe for vocal trouble.

In the winter, I notice my voice gets tired more quickly. It takes longer to warm up, and I can feel a slight rasp or edge if I haven’t been proactive. That dry air actually dehydrates the vocal folds, which makes them less flexible—and that means more effort to produce the same sound.

What I do:

• I use a cool mist humidifier in my bedroom and studio.

• I up my water intake and avoid alcohol or caffeine before singing.

• I do longer warm-ups and focus on gentle phonation (no belting until I’m fully ready).

• And yes, I’ve become that guy who always wears a scarf—even if it’s just to walk to the car.

2. Hot and Humid – Friend or Foe?

Now you might think summer is easier, and in some ways, it is. Humid air actually helps hydrate the vocal cords. But there’s a flip side. When it’s too humid, I notice my voice gets a little sluggish. It’s like my cords are weighed down.

Add to that the temptation to sip iced drinks (bad idea for singers—cold tightens everything up), and it can be a challenging season if you're not mindful.

What I do:

• I keep room temperature or warm drinks on hand (lemon and honey are great).

• I keep my warm-ups light and do extra lip trills or sirens to keep things fluid.

• I avoid air-conditioned rooms that blast dry air—if I’m in one, I keep water close and stay vocally relaxed.

3. Allergy Season – The Unseen Voice Killer

Spring and fall can be absolute nightmares if you suffer from allergies—and I do. Pollen, mold, dust—they all lead to inflammation in the nasal passages and throat, not to mention post-nasal drip that can sit on the cords and cause hoarseness.

There have been times I’ve woken up with my voice sounding two octaves lower, not because I was sick—but because my sinuses were inflamed.

What I do:

• I avoid dairy, which can thicken mucus.

• I use a saline nasal rinse daily during peak allergy season.

• I take a non-drowsy antihistamine if needed, but avoid anything that dries me out too much.

• And I double down on steam—either a facial steamer or even just a hot shower with deep breaths.

4. Sudden Weather Swings – The Voice in Shock

One of the hardest things to deal with is change. Sudden shifts in temperature—say from a 75° sunny afternoon to a damp, windy evening—can throw your whole body off, and your voice feels it first.

When this happens, my vocal cords sometimes swell slightly or feel stiff, and my usual techniques don’t feel as effective. That’s the body’s natural inflammatory response kicking in.

What I do:

• I slow everything down. Less is more.

• I use straw phonation to reduce tension and help recalibrate.

• I dress for the next temperature, not the current one. That scarf again!

• I avoid vocal strain and schedule lighter teaching or recording days if I know the forecast is erratic.

5. Rainy Days – My Secret Vocal Weapon

Now here’s the good news: rainy days are usually great for the voice. The air is moist, and there’s a calming energy that often helps me focus and center my breathing.

When I’ve got a big session or a long day of coaching, I actually look forward to a little drizzle outside. My voice feels more resonant, more grounded, and less fatigued by the end of the day.

What I do:

• Lean into it. Light vocalizing with music in the background.

• Practice mindfulness and relaxation, especially in breath work.

• Keep the window open a crack—unless the pollen count is high!

Final Thoughts: Listen to the Weather and Your Voice

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of working with singers, speakers, and performers, it’s this: your voice will tell you what it needs—if you’re listening. The weather is more than background noise—it’s a real, living force that shapes how we sound.

So I encourage all my students, and myself, to keep a kind of “vocal weather journal.” Track how your voice feels under different conditions. Adjust your routine. Don’t fight the environment—work with it.

The voice isn’t a machine. It’s a living, breathing instrument. And like any instrument, it reacts to the elements. Honor that, and your voice will reward you with strength, clarity, and beauty—rain or shine.

Stay warm, stay cool, stay kind to your cords.