Ever felt a strange or unexplained cold in a room where there shouldn’t be one? I know I have. In parapsychology, these sudden temperature drops are often associated with the so-called paranormal cold spots.
Sometimes, they may indicate that a ghost is around.
In this article:
What Are Paranormal Cold Spots?
Paranormal cold spots are localized drops in temperature that typically happen without any apparent natural cause.
Imagine standing in a comfortably warm room and suddenly feeling an icy patch of air. A chill that seems entirely out of place. Not like a draft from an open window or a glitchy HVAC system. But rather a cold spot that’s just… there, in an otherwise warm space.
There are many theories about these paranormal cold spots.
One interesting perspective comes from ex-police officer Mark Keyes, director of the Pennsylvania Paranormal Association, who has extensively studied these events.
Keyes believes ghosts (or other entities) can draw energy from their surroundings: “It’s like they’re sucking the heat out of the air around you,” he said.
In fact, Keyes has personally witnessed temperature drops of up to 10 degrees within seconds during active investigations, which his team carefully documented using thermal imaging cameras and air ion counters.
He also believes that this kind of intense energy drain could also explain why these temperature drops are so localized—affecting just one spot rather than an entire room.
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However, in more extreme cases (like a violent poltergeist), temperature drops linked to cold spots can range anywhere from a few degrees to over 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be really dramatic. Sometimes, almost bone-chilling.
Believe it or not, there are reports of paranormal investigators (and even ordinary people) who put their hand in a paranormal cold spot caused by an intense poltergeist manifestation and described their hand feeling like it was burning because it was so cold.
The infamous Mackenzie poltergeist is one of the best-documented paranormal manifestations that involves such dramatic temperature drops.
Which leads us to the next question:
When and Where Do Paranormal Cold Spots Occur?
Most paranormal cold spots tend to manifest in paranormal energy-charged locations. Think of haunted houses, historic mansions, battlefields, and old cemeteries—places where intense events happened.
However, cold spots don’t typically appear randomly. And are not extremely common. You can have a paranormal manifestation without any drops in temperature. It’s not a guarantee. They are more likely to manifest during séances or after a report of paranormal activity.
As an interesting little fact, paranormal cold spots are often played up in movies and ghost shows. But even if they’re exaggerated, the experiences still feel pretty darn real to the people who have them.
Now, it’s also worth noting that certain conditions (like poorly sealed windows or just the design of old buildings) can mimic these effects. But more on that later.
What Does It Mean When a Cold Spot Happens?
When a paranormal cold spot shows up, it may be because a spirit is trying to manifest or interact.
Sudden temperature drops can also suggest residual haunting or energy imprints left behind by emotionally intense events. It’s like a scar on the fabric of a place.
There’s also a theory that suggests portals—gateways between different dimensions or realms—may cause these cold spots, too.
Mediums often talk about seeing vortexes or portals that spin, which might explain the drop in temperature as something tries to cross between different planes of existence. Differences in air pressure, possibly caused by such gateways, could also lead to the sudden chill people experience.
I don’t really trust this theory. Still, its adepts believe these supposed portals could let spirits pass between our world and wherever else they go. That transition is what messes with the temperature. It’s all anecdotal, sure—but it’s still an interesting idea.
Why Does It Get Cold When Spirits Are Around?
So why does it get cold? One common explanation is that spirits absorb heat energy to make themselves known.
Now, let’s think about what “cold” really means. In physics, cold isn’t a force—it’s just the absence of heat. Imagine a lightbulb. When you flick it off, the room gets dark—not because something’s suddenly pouring darkness into it, but because the light’s gone.
The same goes for heat. When the energy goes, things get cold. So when you feel cold air, it’s really your body heat escaping into the chill around you.
If ghosts aren’t inherently cold, then it means they’re taking heat from the environment. Paranormal investigators think that spirits might be made of some kind of pure energy—something that keeps going even after death.
But, you know what’s puzzling? If they’re pure energy, shouldn’t they warm things up instead of making them cold? It’s a contradiction no one can really explain.
I think the most plausible answer is that spirits need energy to do their thing. To manifest. To communicate. To interact with our world. So, they draw this energy from whatever’s around—ambient heat, electricity, our own body heat—which leaves a chill in the air.
How Paranormal Investigators Detect Cold Spots?
Paranormal investigators can use many tools to detect cold spots—infrared thermometers, thermal cameras, and EMF detectors are the big ones. These devices help them find sudden temperature changes that might not be noticeable without professional ghost-hunting equipment.
Another handy tool is the data logger. These gadgets can record temperature changes over time, which can help catch those sudden drops that seem to match up with other paranormal events—like strange voices or weird EMF readings.
Can Cold Spots Move?
Yep, they sure can. There are plenty of accounts out there that say, “cold spots can move.” Why does that happen? One theory is that if a spirit’s moving, it could be taking energy along the way, leaving that trail of coldness for you to feel.
These moving cold spots are especially interesting because they suggest intelligence—something beyond a simple energy imprint.
Are All Cold Spots Paranormal?
Nope, definitely not. It’s easy to jump to conclusions, but not every cold spot is supernatural. Drafts, temperature gradients, or disruptions in airflow are often the real culprits.
For instance, pressure changes in old buildings can cause unexpected drafts. Hidden vents or lousy insulation can lead to regular cold spots, and seasonal changes can make it even harder to tell what’s happening.
TV ghost shows often make cold spots seem like they’re always paranormal, but that’s not the reality. It’s important to be a skeptic first. You should always try to rule out the natural causes before declaring something as a ghost.
