Jeff Wisnia wrote:

Since a traditional magnetic ballast is is just a transformer/inductor,
I'd like to hear why you believe that cold affects their performance.

The tube is cold, resulting in lower vapour pressure, making it harder
to start.

Electronic ballasts can get around this by putting more power into the
tube when it's being started, then easing off once the tube hits normal
operating condition.

As you say, magnetic ballasts are pretty basic, so they can't vary their
output.

Chris