![139296751 winter, phone](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/139296751.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
If you’ve ever had a hunch your phone’s charge doesn’t last as long in the wintertime, you’re not crazy: Cold temperatures have a nasty effect on batteries.
The scientific explanation for this lies in how batteries work. Basically, their job is to store chemical energy until you need them to power or charge your device. Then they go about converting that chemical energy into electrical energy. However, cold weather causes internal resistance, slowing down the conversion process and resulting in less overall capacity. The kinds of batteries used in most phones are particularly vulnerable to this effect.
Translation? Just like wintertime makes it harder to get your car to start, your phone won’t last as long in cold weather. However, all is not lost — there are some ways to keep your phone as warm and happy as a skier sipping hot cocoa after a day on the slopes.
First, keep your phone as close to your body as you can. Take it out of your backpack or purse and stick it in your jeans or, better yet, in the inside pocket of an insulated base layer. That’ll help your body heat keep things warm. Second, consider picking up an insulated case. These can be a little on the bulky side, but it’s better to have a cumbersome case than a dead phone.
And finally, avoid taking your phone out in really frigid temperatures — the ambient air will suck out your phone’s heat quicker than you can send a text to Mom.
The 15 Most Bizarre Moments From the Consumer Electronics Show
![APTOPIX Gadget Show Samsung A brand ambassador tests Samsung's Gear VR headset at the Samsung Galaxy booth at the International CES on Jan. 6, 2015, in Las Vegas.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/25-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Frank Lee, Brand Marketing for LG Electronics MobileComm USA, demonstrates the enhanced selfie feature on the new LG G Flex 2 mobile phone on press day for the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on Jan. 5, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/20-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-LIFESTYLE- IT-ELECTRONICS-CES Attendees lay on Serta mattresses at the Serta stand on Jan. 6, 2015 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/26-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Joe Clayton, CEO of Dish, arrives on stage banging a bass drum followed by company mascots during the Dish news conference at the International Consumer Electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas Joe Clayton, CEO of Dish, arrives on stage banging a bass drum followed by company mascots during the Dish news conference at the International Consumer Electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas on Jan. 5, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/19-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-LAS VEGAS-CES-CARS A transparent TRW model car is seen during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Jan. 6, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/15-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![CES 2015 At the 'Unveiled-event' a young woman has a look at salad at the CES electronics and consumer technology tradeshow in Las Vegas on Jan. 4, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/14-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![CES 2015 The drone'Nano' from 'Zano' on Jan. 8, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/16-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Attendees interact with wity screens that run on Intel's Realsense technology on Jan. 6, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/22-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas An attendee wears Altspace Virtual Reality head ware on Jan. 6, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/21-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Newest Innovations In Consumer Technology On Display At 2015 International CES Sony Electronics President and COO Mike Fasulo displays the Sony 4K Action Cam at a press event on Jan. 5, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/24-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Newest Innovations In Consumer Technology On Display At 2015 International CES Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro exits a Mercedes-Benz F 015 autonomous driving automobile after it was unveiled at a Mercedes-Benz press event on Jan. 5, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ces-20151.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A display shows Panasonic's virtual make-up mirror at a Panasonic news conference during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas A display shows Panasonic's virtual make-up mirror at a Panasonic news conference on Jan. 5 , 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/18-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Selfie sticks of the company 'Noosy' displayed on Jan. 8, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/23-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-LIFESTYLE-IT-ELECTRONICS-CES World freediving champion Stig Severinsen holds his breathe underwater for a total of 5 minutes, 35 secs to demonstrate the functionality and accuracy of the Masimo SET pulse oximetry device on Jan. 8, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/27-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Workers install an advertisement for a new S'UHD TV from Samsung Electronics on the side of the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas Workers install an advertisement for a new S'UHD TV from Samsung Electronics on the side of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Jan. 4, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/17-ces-strange-moments-2015.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- Ukraine’s Plan to Survive Trump
- The Rise of a New Kind of Parenting Guru
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com