Ever wonder about the impact of hurricanes and bad weather on cell towers? If you’re a tower landlord, climatic conditions are something to think about. Your site’s future may depend on the factors.
Consider what occurred during some of the the most vicious hurricanes.
Besides general property damage, cell towers and cell service suffered:
- Hurricane Katrina
New Orleans, LA
Approximately 1,000 cell towers downed - Hurricane Irma
FL Keys
27 percent of towers simultaneously down - Hurricane Sandy
Coastal Areas in NJ, NY
25 percent of all towers impaired in affected areas - Hurricane Harvey
Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, TX
More than 360 cell towers knocked out
Bad Weather and its Impact on Cell Towers
When studying the effects of bad weather on cell towers, there’s a simple formula. Water in the air between cell phones and cell towers obstructs radio waves.
What does that mean in regard to the conditions we experience throughout the year?
Here’s a concise explanation:
- Rainy Weather
Water vapor mass that comes along with rain is the greatest factor impacting cellular service. - Hot/Cold Weather
Hot and cold temperatures alone have zero influence over cellular signals.
- Snow/Hail
Snowy or hailing conditions have less of an impact than rain. Yet, radio waves can be refracted from heavy snowfall.
- Foggy/Cloudy Weather
Foggy or cloudy weather conditions have less of an impact than rain. Yet, they can disperse local radio waves.
- Lightning
Lightning is usually accompanied by rain, bringing associated risks. Even alone, lightning generates electrical-power interference. If struck by lightning, cell towers and equipment can suffer significant damage. - Windy Weather
Windy conditions alone will not impair service. High winds, though, can damage network equipment and electric lines. This can lead to service trouble.
The Response: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Tower Landlord
Severe weather threatens cell site reliability and causes power outages. That’s why carriers invest heavily on upgrading networks and technological backups. Moreover, they continue to commit themselves to preparedness in advance of hurricane season.
In spite of all this, landlords need to be cognizant of risks of site termination. An objective tower consultant can be helpful in presenting protective options.
Nexus Towers offers transparent guidance and professional services to empower property owners to leverage the highest value from their wireless assets. Our supportive services include PIGEON PATROL (oversight and management), LEASE CONSULTING, LEASE EVALUATION, LUMP SUM LEASE BUYOUTS.
SUMMARY: Hurricanes, cell towers: if you’re a cell tower landlord, read this important update how bad weather can affect your site. Then, contact an objective tower consultant to learn about protective options.
