If you’ve ever been watching TV or using satellite internet and suddenly lost the signal when a storm rolled in, you’re not alone. This frustrating experience is often caused by
a phenomenon called rain fade. But what exactly is rain fade, and why does a little water in the sky mess with your entertainment or connectivity?

It’s All About the Waves
Satellite signals are transmitted using microwaves, a type of high-frequency radio wave. These signals travel thousands of miles from satellites orbiting the Earth down to your satellite dish. Under normal conditions, the signal makes that journey without too much interference. But when it rains—especially when it rains hard—things change.

Rain droplets in the atmosphere absorb and scatter the satellite signal. This causes signal attenuation, which means the signal weakens as it travels through the rain. The heavier the rain, the more the signal degrades. Even dense cloud cover or snow can cause similar issues.

High Frequencies, Higher Problems
Most consumer satellite TV and internet services use high-frequency bands such as the Ku-band or Ka-band. These frequencies are great for delivering large amounts of data, but they’re also more sensitive to interference from moisture in the air. Lower frequency bands, like the ones used for some older commercial satellite services, are more resistant to weather disruption—but they’re also less efficient for today’s high-speed needs.

Equipment Matters
Your satellite dish setup can also make a difference. Small or misaligned dishes are more likely to lose signal during rain because they already have a weaker connection to the satellite. A properly aligned dish, especially a larger one, can help minimize disruptions. Some users even install rain shields or dish heaters to reduce the impact of weather.

Weak UK TV Satellite Signals in Spain
When watching UK TV via satellite in Spain, weak signals can be a common issue due to the satellite’s beam footprint. Satellites like Astra 2, which broadcast UK channels, are designed primarily to cover the UK and parts of Northern Europe. As you move farther south into Spain, especially in areas like the Costa del Sol or the Canary Islands, the signal strength drops significantly. This means smaller dishes that work fine in the UK may not pick up the channels reliably in Spain. To compensate, many viewers in Spain use much larger satellite dishes—often 1.2 meters or more in diameter—to receive a stable signal. Even with larger equipment, reception can still be affected by weather and atmospheric conditions, making UK TV access less consistent than back home.

What You Can Do
If rain fade is a frequent issue, consider:

Ensuring your dish is securely mounted and aligned

Installing a larger dish for better signal strength

Using a dish cover or heater to repel water and snow

Trimming nearby trees or obstacles that may worsen signal loss during bad weather

While we can’t control the weather, a few adjustments to your satellite setup may help keep you connected—even when the skies open up.