Can a thunderstorm affect how fast high speed internet works?

Question

Can a thunderstorm affect how fast high speed internet works?

Answer 1

I can think of two reasons the internet could slow down during a storm:  

Power outages caused by thunderstorms can have an impact.  Maybe the internet company uses a backup generator that cant keep up with demand.

But I believe the most logical explanation is that during a storm everyone heads indoors.  And what do they do indoors?  They get online.  The more people online the slower your connection speed.

Answer 2

Yes.

Lightning could strike one of the server centers used for distribution which could shut down an entire city's ability to connect.

Or if it's obtained by your local isp via satellite, the weather could occlude the dish, keeping it from making a link to the telecommunications satellite.

Or the power could be out, which is most likely the cause and easiest to explain.

Answer 3

The thunderstorm wouldn't effect the speed of the internet, but if DNS servers in the area were shut down because of power failures the internet could slow down as more trafic was routed to the servers that were still up.  

If everyone logged online because they didn't have anything to do, that would also increase trafic and slow down your internet.

Answer 4

Hi I do not know for sure but whenever we have one my internet certainly slows down. Not sure why though.

Answer 5

Electrical surges may have an effect as lightning hits close to where your computer is.