What People With Diabetes Should Know About How Weather Affects Blood Sugar
- Rebecca Guldberg
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
When managing diabetes, most people focus on food choices, physical activity, and medication. But there’s another factor that can quietly influence blood sugar levels every day: the weather.
Changes in temperature — especially extreme heat or cold — can affect how your body uses insulin, how glucose is absorbed, and even how reliable your diabetes supplies perform. Understanding these effects can help you stay more stable year-round.
Cold Weather and Blood Sugar Levels
Cold temperatures can cause your body to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones signal the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, which can raise blood sugar levels. At the same time, cold weather may slow insulin absorption from injection sites, making blood sugar responses less predictable.
Cold weather can also increase the risk of low blood sugar. Your body burns more glucose to stay warm, and symptoms of hypoglycemia — such as shakiness or numbness — can be mistaken for simply feeling cold. Add in reduced physical activity and heavier winter meals, and glucose control can become more challenging.
Hot Weather and Blood Sugar Levels
Hot weather brings a different set of challenges. Dehydration is common in high temperatures, and when your body is low on fluids, glucose becomes more concentrated in the bloodstream, leading to higher readings.
Heat can also cause insulin to absorb faster than usual, increasing the risk of unexpected blood sugar drops. In addition, insulin and diabetes devices can lose effectiveness if exposed to excessive heat, making proper storage especially important during summer months.
Tips for Managing Blood Sugar in Extreme Temperatures
No matter the season, a few simple strategies can help:
Check blood sugar more often, especially during temperature changes
Stay well hydrated in warm weather
Dress appropriately in cold temperatures to reduce physical stress
Store insulin and diabetes supplies properly to protect their effectiveness
Adjust activity levels when weather limits outdoor movement
Weather may be out of your control, but how you prepare for it isn’t. Paying attention to temperature changes and how your body responds can help prevent unexpected blood sugar swings and support better long-term diabetes management.
Source: Prevention, “How Weather Impacts Blood Sugar”
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This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.