Why is your Wi-Fi slow when it rains?

Do you know that time to relax with an online movie or series, and suddenly it starts to rain?

There is a very interesting scientific explanation behind this apparent “tantrum” of our connection on rainy days.

Before we understand how rain interferes, it is important to briefly remember how Wi-Fi works.

These waves load data from the internet to our devices (cell phones, notebooks, smart TVs, etc.).

For the connection to be stable and quick, these waves need to travel through the air with as little obstacles and interference as possible.

Water, in its various forms (rain, fog, excessive humidity), has the ability to interact with Wi-Fi radio waves in two main ways:

Absorption: The water molecules present in the atmosphere can absorb part of the radio waves energy.
Dispersion (or spreading): Rain drops, depending on their size and intensity, can act as small obstacles that divert or spread radio waves in different directions.

It is important to note that the intensity of the impact of rain on Wi-Fi may vary depending on the frequency used:

2.4 GHz: This frequency is more susceptible to absorption by water.
5 GHz: The 5 GHz frequency, on the other hand, usually suffers less from water absorption.

It is crucial to remember that rain is not always solely responsible for the slowness of your internet.

External infrastructure: Strong rain and winds can affect your internet provider's infrastructure such as cables and external equipment, causing connection instability.
Network Overload: On rainy days, it is common for more people to stay at home using the internet simultaneously, which can lead to an overload of the network and, consequently, to a general slowness of the connection.
Quality of your connection: An already unstable or low -speed internet connection can become even more noticeable on rainy days.
Problems in your equipment: Your router may be outdated, poorly configured, or having some technical problem that becomes more evident under adverse weather conditions.

Although we have no control over the weather, some measures can help minimize the impact of rain on your Wi-Fi connection:

Check your connection: Restart your modem and router.
Position the router correctly: Place the router in a central place free of obstacles such as thick walls and metallic objects.
Consider the frequency: If possible, try alternating between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies to see which one offers the best performance under different conditions.
Keep your equipment up to date: Make sure your router firmware is up to date to ensure the best possible performance.
Contact your provider: If slower persists, contact your internet provider to check for any problem in your region or your connection.

Although science explains us why rain can affect the speed of our Wi-Fi, this is not always the only cause.

By understanding the factors involved, we can take steps to try to optimize our connection and make the most of our internet, rain or sunbathe!

Do you also notice this slowness on the internet when it rains?

Have you tried any of these tips to improve the connection?

And if you found this interesting explanation, share it with your friends so that they also understand Wi-Fi's "tantrum" in the rain!