From what I have seen with my succulents outdoors, that cold and wet mix really hurts them, but the moment they get a chance to dry out at least a full day, it helps them recover well. They can endure for awhile being wet and cold, but it takes its toll. The only thing that gives me hope when I see them very sullen looking is seeing any hint of green in them. As long as I see one part still green, that plant will fight. And some comeback good, I think the damaged parts somehow seals off further damage to the plant in some way, I just have to wait till weather is much warmer before I start repotting and all. Using smaller containers works well, so the plants can dry out faster. If I have a nice space or awning, I would put them there during winter, but since that is not the case..I just let them endure as much as they can.
A sample of my ever resilient succulent: Crassula ovata gollum: very bad cold and wet damage, almost 90% of leaves had turned black and dropping off, tips very red and stressed but I see some green parts:
Photo taken Feb 2012:
Repotted it in late spring and moved closer to the house, comes back quite good, this is its photo taken September 2012
Aeonium arboreum is very cold hardy here. It is really lovely making its stressed out color changes, and looks like a different plant during seasonal changes. Never had a problem with it, rain or shine, hot or cold.
