Objective To explore how non-freezing cold nerve injury (NFCNI) is affected by fluctuating ambient temperatures. Methods The sciatic nerves of Wistar rats were exposed to either intermittent cooling and rewarming or continuous cooling. The pathology was assessed neurophysiologically and morphologically. Results More severe injury was observed when nerve was intermittently cooled, despite an identical duration and degree of cooling. Conclusion The observed pathology is a result of repeated reperfusion injury to nerves that are cooled intermittently.