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Storms, temperature extremes, and changes in barometric pressure might all contribute to these attacks by altering levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals.
Research on the connection between migraine and weather has been mixed, in part because it’s difficult to study. Weather changes can trigger varying reactions, so it’s hard for researchers to narrow down one cause.
Not everyone responds to each weather change in the same way, either.
Heat can trigger migraine attacks in some people, while others get attacks when the temperature drops. Certain people are more sensitive than others to shifts in temperature and humidity.
In some cases, many different factors come together to trigger a migraine attack. For example, you might get an attack on humid days, but only if you’re also stressed or hungry.
Humidity changes
There may be a link between humidity, temperature, and migraine, but it’s not always consistent.
In general, higher humidity and temperatures seem to trigger migraine attacks. Sudden changes in humidity or temperature — up or down — might also be a factor.
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One reason for the increase in migraine attacks during hot or dry weather could be dehydration, which is a recognized migraine trigger.
Temperature changes
Temperature on its own may also lead to migraine attacks, though different studies disagree.
A recent
Some studies mentioned in the review found no significant link between exposure to hot or cold temperatures and migraine symptoms. However, one study noted that as people with migraine got older, they experienced more migraine attacks in cold weather.
Another study mentioned in the review found that a 26.5% increase in relative humidity was associated with a 28% higher likelihood of migraine attacks, but only during the warmer months from April to September.
Still, another study from 2020 found no relationship between hot or cold weather and migraine. More research needs to be done.
Storms
Few studies directly examine the effect of storms on migraine.
A 2013 study involving 90 individuals with migraine found that the odds of experiencing a headache were 1.31 times higher on days with lightning compared to days without. Even after considering other weather factors associated with thunderstorms, the odds remained elevated at 1.18.
However, the study’s small sample size limits how broadly we can apply these findings. Additionally, the study didn’t consider potential variations in headache activity throughout the year or in different regions, which could have affected the results.
More research is needed to fully understand the reasons behind this association.
Storms as a migraine trigger may be related to changes in air pressure. Lowering barometric (air) pressure generally indicates a coming storm and was associated with migraine in a small
The study authors recommended that people with migraine be ready with medication when cyclones are in the forecast.
Dry conditions
As with other weather conditions, there’s conflicting information regarding the effects of dry conditions on migraine. This may be because weather affects people differently, but it also indicates that more research is needed.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, cold and dry air in the winter may result in dehydration and lead to migraine attacks.
On the other hand, other research, including a study from 2019, suggests that higher humidity in warm weather is linked to a higher chance of migraine attacks.
Dusty environments
The relationship between dust and migraine is likely tied to allergies.
More generally, a
Inflammation in response to allergens may be one cause of these migraine attacks.
However, numerous studies have found that many people diagnosed with sinus headaches actually meet the criteria for migraine. Researchers advise healthcare providers to be aware of this and to consider that symptoms like nasal and eye discomfort, often associated with sinus problems, can also be signs of migraine headaches.
Wind
There’s little recent research on wind and migraine, though wind is often listed as a migraine trigger.
An older
The study found that on days before Chinook winds and days with high speed Chinook winds, migraine attacks were more likely in some of the study participants.
Barometric pressure
Barometric pressure is a measurement of pressure in the air. Rising barometric pressure means the air pressure is increasing, and falling barometric pressure means air pressure is decreasing.
Changes in barometric pressure are well-documented triggers for migraine attacks, although the exact mechanism remains unclear.
A review of several studies examined the connection between barometric pressure changes and migraine.
Animal studies suggest that low barometric pressure may increase pain sensitivity, possibly by affecting certain brain areas and nerves involved in pain processing.
The review also mentioned a pilot study involving healthy individuals who were exposed to low barometric pressure. In this study, the participants experienced headaches that began and worsened while they were exposed to low pressure.
Another observational study using a smartphone app found that low pressure was linked to more frequent headaches, including both migraine and non-migraine types.
Overall, weather changes, especially in regions with large fluctuations, may significantly trigger migraine attacks. Individual susceptibility to these pressure changes varies, with some more affected by low pressure and others by high pressure.
Besides the weather, other environmental factors may also cause migraine attacks in some people, though the cause is often unclear. These include bright light, smoking or breathing secondhand smoke, and higher altitudes.
Lights
Sometimes sunlight can cause a migraine attack. This makes sense, considering that bright light is a common trigger.
Researchers say sunlight could travel through the retina and optic nerve and activate sensitive nerve cells in the brain.
Another theory is that ultraviolet radiation from the sun leads to the release of chemicals in the skin that widen blood vessels, which can cause a migraine attack.
The strength and brightness of sunlight could help determine whether it causes a migraine attack.
In one small study, people experienced more migraine incidents when exposed to summer sun (which is stronger) than winter sun (which is weaker).
Smoking
Smoking and secondhand smoke are often listed as migraine triggers, but their relationship to migraine is still unclear.
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According to a small study from 2018, the frequency of smoking and using smokeless tobacco may contribute to migraine. Specifically, smoking more than six cigarettes per day resulted in more migraine attacks.
Altitude changes
Altitude may also play a role in migraine. A
Another
The study rejected high altitude headaches and lack of oxygen as a cause. Still, it wasn’t able to provide another explanation for migraine resulting from living at altitude.
There’s currently no cure for migraine, but you can take steps to prevent attacks and treat symptoms.
In general, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and managing stress may lower the number of migraine attacks you experience.
Medication may help when you have migraine symptoms. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and potential medications.
You can also relieve your migraine symptoms with medications like sumatriptan, ibuprofen, or aspirin.
The main symptom of a migraine attack is head pain, but side effects may include:
- nausea or vomiting
- visual changes, such as blurry vision or blind spots, called aura
- sensitivity to sound
- sensitivity to light
Promethazine and ondansetron are two medications commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with migraine headaches.
Over-the-counter options like dimenhydrinate and meclizine, typically used for motion sickness, are also effective. It’s important to note that these medications can cause sleepiness, which can actually be beneficial for migraine relief.
If a migraine attack makes you sensitive to light or sound, lying down in a dark, silent room may help.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medications can also help reduce pain. However, taking them too frequently may lead to medication overuse headaches.
Although you can’t control the weather, you can gain more control over migraine when the temperature or humidity changes.
One way is to figure out your triggers. Keep a diary of what you’re doing when your migraine attacks start. Over time, you’ll be able to see which weather patterns tend to set off your headaches.
If you’re on a preventive medication, like erenumab (Aimovig), make sure you take it. And have an abortive medication ready if the weather looks like it’s changing.
Try to limit your time outdoors when conditions look like they could set off a migraine attack. And if you do have to be out in the sun, shield your eyes with a pair of UV-protective sunglasses.
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