My Superpower Is Also My Flare Trigger: I Can Feel When a Storm Is Coming

One of my biggest rheumatoid arthritis (RA) triggers has come from a surprising source: stormy weather. When the wind starts to blow and the clouds roll in, my symptoms start to flare.

Weather has a big impact on my RA symptoms.

In fact, my family often jokes that I should be a meteorologist because I’m great at predicting when it’s about to storm. It’s common for me to experience an increase in joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue hours or even a day before stormy weather.

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Noticing a pattern

I was diagnosed with RA in 2018. Since then, I’ve come to recognize what can trigger a flare-up of symptoms. Many of these triggers, such as stress and overactivity, have not come as a surprise to me.

There’s one major trigger, however, that caught me off guard. Weather — and, in particular, stormy weather — can cause a significant uptake in my symptoms.

We’ve all heard anecdotal reports of arthritis acting up during rainy or cold weather, and I’ve noticed that cold temperatures make me ache more, especially my hands. But I’ve also realized over the years that my joint pain will act up more before a storm.

Also, it isn’t only joint pain that seems to intensify with the barometric pressure changes that accompany a storm. When the wind starts to blow and heavy clouds roll in, many of my other symptoms of an RA flare-up seem to come along for the ride, including fatigue, stiffness, and swelling.

Now that I’ve lived with RA for 5 years, I’ve come to know that stormy weather is a strong indication that I will be having a high pain day. For me, a stormy day will always be more impactful on my symptoms than a cold weather day.

There have even been several times when a storm was not mentioned in a weather report, and I’ve predicted that a weather change would happen simply by how my body feels — and then it begins to rain.

Can stormy weather affect rheumatoid arthritis?

Studies on weather and RA have not been definitive, but ask any rheumatologist and they will likely tell you their patients report a link between weather and pain levels. I have seen this issue come up often in different RA support groups as well.

Recently, many members of an RA group I’m also a part of were discussing the powerful storms and tornadoes occurring across the Midwest and how it’s affecting their symptoms.

It’s thought that changes in barometric pressure that accompany stormy weather can cause your tendons, muscles, bones, and scar tissues to contract and expand. This action could cause pain and other symptoms.

A few studies show a link between weather and pain for those living with chronic conditions. A 2020 study that took place in the United Kingdom over 15 months concluded that lower pressure, higher humidity, and increased wind and rain corresponded with higher pain days for people living with chronic pain.

A 2014 study found that a drop in air pressure — indicative of a storm — was associated with worsening joint synovitis in people living with RA. Joint synovitis refers to worsening inflammation of the tissue surrounding joints, which can cause pain and swelling.

Taking special care during stormy weather

It’s impossible to control the weather, and it’s not always easy to predict weather patterns either.

But I know when stormy weather is predicted, I need to prepare myself for the likelihood of a high pain day. This may mean altering my plans for the day by decreasing my workload, rescheduling appointments, or pushing errands to another day.

There are also a few ways that I try to offset a flare-up of symptoms on a stormy day.

One of my favorite forms of self-care is taking a hot bath with plenty of Epsom salt. I’m also more cognizant of taking my compression gloves when I leave the house.

If I’m traveling somewhere where stormy weather is likely, I make sure I have the tools I need to help me feel better.

Considering the possibility of moving to a milder climate

My husband and I have lived in the same city for almost 20 years. When we talk about the future, and the possibility of moving to another state, a milder climate is now a big selling point for me.

Studies are not definitive as to what climate is best for those living with chronic conditions. It depends on many factors, such as humidity, elevation, and average temperature. These factors all affect people differently.

I’m still trying to figure out how all of these factors affect my RA. One thing I know is that weather changes do affect my pain levels. So I’d like to take a good amount of time visiting a place and experiencing how my body feels before I commit to moving there.

The bottom line

I didn’t realize that when I developed RA I’d also develop the ability to feel when a storm is coming, but it has been an undeniable phenomenon for me over the past few years.

Knowledge is power, so just knowing that stormy weather is possible helps me plan and prepare for the likelihood of a higher pain day.

I’m also considering how a move to a milder climate may be helpful in the future as I continue to navigate the complexities of living with a chronic and progressive disease.

It’s an odd scenario when a potential superpower is also your potential downfall. I’ve found ways to try and take this in my stride, adapting my plans when I need to, and basking in my meteorology skills by letting my family know when a storm is coming.