In 1816, weather changes affected the world in numerous ways. I've read that the phenomenon was mysterious at the time, though evidence now points to a massive volcanic event. So if it was a mystery, what were the main theories of the time? Did they know about the eruption in Indonesia? Were there any "outlandish" explanations out there?
There is a high-quality answer here that fully answers your question in regards to outlandish explanations and various phenomena that were blamed for the weather.