Weather in your neck of the woods has got nothing to do with your current mechanical issue OP... sounds like you've got what it's called
grabbing clutch; one where the friction disc does not slip normally but grabs ALL at once.
Although there are several causes for these conditions, but I believe you have a worn (or bent) clutch fork; does not allow the release bearing to contact the pressure plate evenly, thus causing the clutch to not fully disengage and also cause hard shifting.
Welcome to the community btw
