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We’ve all experienced days when the internet seems unreasonably slow and shaky during bad weather. But does the weather really affect our internet connection? Or is it just a baseless intuition?
Well turns out, you can blame the weather for your internet connection.
However, it’s not as straightforward as it seems. There are many other potential factors that can affect Wi-Fi signals, not just bad weather.
Fortunately, you can improve your internet connection! So read on to find out more.
Can the weather affect my Wifi?
Yes, it can! Rains, winds, and even heat can disrupt your internet connection signal, which will affect your Wi-Fi. So the next time your internet drops during a lousy weather, you’re probably right in assuming it’s related.
To understand how the weather affects Wi-Fi, we first have to look at how an internet connection travels to your home.
Source: Coniq.com
The Internet is delivered intricately through a system of cables, wires, satellites and other networking devices. Plus, these cables and hardware come in various types and sizes - old and new, big and small.
To add to this, there are also wireless connections involved in delivering the internet, such as Wi-Fi and satellite connections, which are not as stable as a wired connection. So getting the internet to one’s home or office involves many wires and hardware that’s exposed to weather conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at which weather conditions can affect your Wi-Fi.
Rainfall and High Humidity
Water droplets caused by rain can absorb the radio waves of the internet signal, which can cause the Wi-Fi to lose its connection. If your router is close to a window outdoors and within range of rain, this may also further affect the wireless internet connection. A highly humid environment may also contain water droplets in the air, affecting the internet connection.
Besides that, rains can also cause flooding underground. This is because most internet cables are built underground, and rain may increase the moisture level and damage these cables, especially if they’re old.
More importantly, many people prefer to stay indoors when it rains or storms outside. Generally, this means more heavy internet usage in one particular area, which can slow down your internet connection.
Damaging winds
As seen in the image above, the internet is connected by various hardware which are mostly located outdoors. While most Australians may have switched to an NBN (National Broadband Network), it is still connected to hardware and cables that can be susceptible to damage by a fallen tree.
Besides that, satellites can also be moved or damaged by the wind, which can undoubtedly affect the signal of your Wi-Fi.
Heatwaves
Like most computers and devices, overheating can cause the cables to be physically damaged. It can also cause hardware to perform more slowly than it usually does. While this may not be a problem during winter, the Australian summers can be pretty brutal, with temperatures soaring up to 51.7°C!
So what can I do?
If you’re experiencing a Wi-Fi connection that’s poor or unstable, here are some things you can do:
Restart your router when the connection is bad
Remove your router from the windows to avoid signal loss when it rains
To prevent humidity, invest in a dehumidifier for your home
Minimise the number of devices connected to the internet
Invest in a weather app to keep updated on the weather conditions that could be affecting your Wi-Fi!
Weather Map is an Aussie-made weather app that believes in providing the best weather-viewing experience - without ads! So if you’re looking for a better way to tell the weather, download our app today on the App Store.