Winter coating is starting a relationship for warmth and company through the cold months, then ending it in spring.
Winter coating describes pairing up specifically to have a partner through the colder months, then quietly exiting once the weather warms up again. It overlaps closely with the idea of cuffing season.
It looks like seeking out a relationship in late fall for cozy nights in, holiday company, and someone to share the long dark months with. The plan, whether spoken aloud or not, comes with a built-in spring expiration date.
The behavior treats a partner more like a seasonal item than a genuine choice. One person may be quietly coasting toward the exit while the other honestly believes things are getting more serious by the week.
If a connection suddenly heats up as the temperature drops, it is worth asking whether it is real or simply seasonal. Honest intentions from the start spare both people a cold and confusing surprise come spring.