I think it would have been better to start in may and end in late August, right before college and the NFL. That way there was a break to build more interest IMO. Plus the weather in the spring is typically worse.
You'll die quicker in cold weather. I made that up, I have no clue really. But in my experience, I would live a lot longer in Iraq in the middle of summer than I would in Alaska in the middle of winter.
I think it would be circumstantial. We are naked riparian apes from the Tropics. We like like it shady, warm, and near ample water.
All things being equal. Typical clothes. You're lasting longer in Iraq (away from terrorists obviously).