Humidity tends to be the culprit when smoking in the cold. Cold weather tends to keep humidity outside down. Our cigars tend to be between 60 & 70%. The cold wants to dry and constrict the wrapper but the heat and moisture inside the cigar wants to expand. This will lead to cracking of the wrapper and constricting of the airways. Dry boxing will help but the interior rh of the cigar is what needs to be loweres for outside smoking.

Got to love the north east.