In today’s fast-moving, interconnected world, we need internet connectivity that we can rely on, as it is crucial for both work and entertainment. Most of the time, we blame internet service providers and other technical issues for slow internet speeds and ignore the impact of the weather and other environmental factors on our digital experiences. There are many factors that can impact the speed of your internet, but this article seeks to highlight the various ways in which weather and environmental factors can affect the speed and reliability of your internet connection.   

What exactly does internet speed imply?

Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). It refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a web server via a router or a modem and back. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that is downloaded or uploaded per second. The higher the value of your Mbps, the faster your online activity will be. A high number means that downloads and uploads are faster, webpages load faster, music and video streaming are more seamless, and video calls and games can go on uninterrupted. We have all experienced frame freezing at some point and know how frustrating it can be, especially when you’re streaming your favourite show or during a video conference.

When web pages don’t load fast enough, it impacts productivity and the efficiency of work. Because internet speed defines what you can do online, it is critical that it be adequate to accommodate your daily internet usage. You can choose an internet plan that meets your needs, with speeds ranging from less than 1 Megabit per second (extremely slow) to 5000 Megabits per second (unbelievably fast). However, it is advised that a good download speed be at least 100 Megabits per second and an acceptable upload speed be at least 10 Megabits per second.  

Impact of Weather and Environmental factors on your internet speed

Rain and Moisture

Rain, our planet’s lifeblood, can also be an inconspicuous disruptor of internet signals. Raindrops in the air may distort wireless signals, causing both Wi-Fi and mobile data connections to not function optimally. Understanding the mechanism behind this occurrence allows us to understand why a rainy day might cause you to miss your streaming binge or disrupt a crucial Zoom meeting. The most susceptible to weather disruptions is satellite internet. Satellite signals must travel through the atmosphere to reach their destination, making them vulnerable to weather conditions. Heavy rain can cause a phenomenon known as “rain fade.” When the signals between the tower and your internet device are weak, it slows your internet speed.

The effects of fog and snow are similar, the difference being that snow accumulates in the internet’s physical infrastructure, worsening the effect on your internet speed and connectivity. However, the sun can also cause satellite internet to fail. Solar flares from the sun are powerful enough to damage satellites and ultimately disrupt service. 

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Thunderstorms not only bring rain but also a cacophony of electrical activity, which can disrupt internet connectivity. Lightning is a powerful force of nature that can cause havoc on communication infrastructure, leading to network outages and disrupting wireless signals. Severe thunderstorms affect antennas, towers, and cables, thereby affecting the time it takes for information to travel from your device to the network server or satellite dish, as the case may be. This disruption affects internet speed due to signal loss and degraded network performance.

Extreme Temperatures

Adverse temperatures, be it scorching heat or freezing cold, can cause technical issues with internet equipment. Cables, routers, and other critical components are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Very hot temperatures can cause solar flares or even cause equipment to overheat, resulting in damage to internet infrastructure and reduced performance. Extremely cold temperatures, on the other hand, can increase the possibility of poor signals, affecting network coverage. Cooling mechanisms are crucial to mitigate extremely high temperatures and improve internet speed.

Geographical Terrain 

The terrain plays an important role in internet connectivity and speed. Some areas are prone to strong winds, thunderstorms, flooding, and hurricanes, which can damage internet infrastructure. These forces of nature also affect wireless signals, distorting them and resulting in poor signal quality and slow internet speeds. This is especially experienced in rural areas where the network coverage is inadequate. Underground or underwater cables will also be impacted if used in areas prone to earthquakes and hurricanes. 

Building Resilience: How to Mitigate the Impacts of Weather and environmental factors 

Weather and environmental factors pose significant challenges for internet service providers. In this section, we will highlight the steps to take in order to build weather-resistant infrastructure, such as using cables that can withstand harsh weather conditions, strong data centres, and backup systems that can stand the test of time and keep you connected even when the weather goes awry. 

Here are a few tips to safeguard your internet connection from weather and other environmental factors, thereby optimising your internet speed.

• Keep your internet modem or Wi-Fi router in a dry, well-ventilated spot, as this will protect it from heat and moisture damage
• Place your satellite dish in an area where the possibility of it being damaged by snow or disrupted by heavy winds is very low.
• Guard your modems and routers from power surges caused by lightning by using a surge protector.
• In some instances, a wired connection may be preferable to wireless one, as it is less vulnerable to weather conditions.
• Pay attention to your local weather forecasts and make adequate plans. 

Ways to boost your internet speed during weather upheavals

If your internet connection is not disabled as a result of extreme weather conditions, here are a few things you can do to improve your internet speed and connection during bad weather.

• Examine your modem and router. Check that they are connected properly and that the cables fit. You can also do a quick reset on your internet device to remove any temporary errors. 
• Position your mobile device or laptop as close to your modem or router as possible. This is because when your device is closer, the signals are stronger.
• If the antennas of your router are adjustable, you can try moving them around to get better signal strength and optimise internet speed.
• Switch to a different frequency band. If you have a Wi-Fi connection, you might want to experiment with a different frequency band.
• The more devices that are connected to your internet network, the slower your internet speed will be. You can reduce the number of devices so that you can enjoy faster speeds and optimal performance.
• When many applications are open at the same time, they tend to compete with bandwidth, which slows your internet. Close all unnecessary applications and background updates.
• As a last resort, upgrade your internet plan or switch your internet service provider.

Some internet connections are more susceptible to weather-related disruptions than others. Connections such as DSL and cable internet that depend on physical infrastructure and cables are more likely to suffer from adverse weather conditions like hurricanes, thunderstorms, or blizzards. This is because data is transmitted through telephone lines and can be easily affected by electrical interference from thunderstorms. Cable internet connections transmit data through coaxial cables; during a snowstorm or heavy winds, they can experience slow performance.

Satellite connections, when compared to cable and DSL, are less susceptible to weather-related disruptions. Nevertheless, snow and thunderstorms impact it in a variety of ways. When it accumulates on the dish, heavy snowfall can slow internet speeds, and thunderstorms cause the dish to shift position, which affects the signal strength and quality. 

Fibre broadband internet is made of glass fibres that have been coated with a plastic protective layer. As a result, they are extremely long-lasting, they are water and moisture resistant, as well as resistant to sudden temperature changes and other environmental factors. Unlike copper cables, which are susceptible to corrosion and degradation over time as a result of exposure to moisture, Fibre optic cables are not prone to this type of damage. As a matter of fact, fibre optic cables are frequently used in adverse conditions where other types of connections, such as underwater ones, cannot function. Fibre internet is the way to go if you need dependable internet during severe weather conditions. It guarantees high-speed internet and increased reliability, even in extreme weather conditions.   

As the world continues to grapple with the realities of climate change, internet service providers are building weather-resilient infrastructure that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Some companies are also investing in technologies that aim to reduce carbon footprints on our planet.

It is important that both internet service providers and service users are aware of the impact the weather and other environmental factors have on internet speed and performance. Heavy rainfall, lightning, thunderstorms, snow, and extreme temperatures all affect internet connectivity; however, we can take appropriate measures to mitigate their impact so that we can continue to enjoy optimal internet speed and seamless connectivity.