Le temps affecte-t-il l'Internet ? Les propriétaires de Fort Collins ont raison de poser la question

More Colorado homeowners are asking how reliable their internet really is when the weather turns. Whether it’s snowstorms in January or spring hail in May, the question comes up more often: Does rain, snow, or cold weather affect my internet connection?

The short answer is yes, but not all connections are affected equally. Here’s how weather impacts different types of internet service, and why fiber internet holds up best when it matters most.

How Weather Affects Different Types of Internet

Cable Internet: Built for TV, Not Weather

Most traditional cable internet runs over coaxial copper wires—the same infrastructure designed for television decades ago. That legacy shows during storms.

• Rain or moisture can seep into aging connectors and joints, degrading signal quality
• Freezing temperatures can make exposed lines brittle, increasing risk of physical damage
• High winds and falling branches can knock down aerial lines entirely

Even under perfect conditions, cable internet often shares bandwidth with neighbors, which can make stormy-day slowdowns worse.

Reliability: Moderate. More vulnerable during snow, wind, and freezing rain.

DSL: Phone Lines, Not Future-Ready

DSL uses traditional telephone lines to deliver internet. That copper infrastructure is especially susceptible to moisture and corrosion.

• Heavy rain or flooding can cause line noise and data loss
• Cold snaps can cause signal degradation over long distances
• Storm damage can knock out service entirely in older areas

Reliability: Low. Performance often drops during wet or cold conditions.

Satellite Internet: Bad Weather’s Worst Match

Satellite internet relies on a dish and clear sky path to communicate with orbiting satellites.

• Rain, snow, or clouds create signal loss known as “rain fade”
• High winds can misalign the dish, cutting off service
• Storms often cause prolonged slowdowns or full outages

Reliability: Low. Especially unreliable during storms or snow.

Cellular 5G and Fixed Wireless: Fast, but Finicky

Wireless internet options like cellular 5G home internet can offer fast speeds, but the performance is directly tied to weather and line-of-sight access.

• Rain and fog can absorb high-frequency radio waves, reducing signal strength
• Storms and wind can interfere with antennas or transmission paths
• Trees or wet leaves can become physical obstacles when wet

Reliability: Variable. Performance drops quickly with moisture or signal interference.

Fiber-Optic Internet: The Clear Winner in All Weather

Unlike copper or wireless systems, fiber uses pulses of light sent through flexible glass strands. That makes it immune to many weather-related issues.

• Rain and snow: No impact. Fiber lines are insulated from moisture
• Cold: Underground installation keeps cables stable and protected
• Wind and storms: Fiber is usually buried, avoiding damage from tree limbs or power lines

Fiber’s durability isn’t just theoretical. Connexion’s all-fiber network is engineered with geo-diverse paths, meaning even if one path is damaged, your signal reroutes and stays online.

Reliability: High. Performs consistently in all weather.

Why Fiber Internet Is the Most Weatherproof Option

When it comes to weather resilience, the science is clear:

• No electromagnetic interference: Fiber doesn’t rely on electricity, so it avoids static and signal loss during lightning storms
• Buried infrastructure: Protected from wind, ice, and flooding
• Symmetrical performance: Uploads are just as fast as downloads, even when demand spikes during bad weather

And unlike cable, fiber networks don’t slow down when your neighborhood is all online at once. That’s especially helpful during snow days or power outages, when everyone turns to the internet for updates, entertainment, or remote work.

What This Means for Fort Collins Homeowners

If you’re comparing internet providers in Fort Collins, weather reliability should be on your checklist. Cable may be fine in fair weather. But when the next hailstorm or blizzard rolls through, your connection shouldn’t be one more thing to worry about.

Fort Collins Connexion’s fiber network is built by the community, for the community. We don’t lease aging lines or rely on national call centers. Our support team is local. Our service is symmetrical and storm-resilient. And your data stays private; we don’t monetize it or sell it to third parties.

View Our Fiber Internet Plans

Curious if Fiber is Available at Your Address?

Fort Collins Connexion continues to expand fiber access across the city. If you’re still using cable or DSL, it may be time to consider switching, especially if you’ve had internet outages during past storms.

Check your address to see if fiber is available at your home

Summary: The Best Internet for Bad Weather?

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