Working a full-time job from home has many benefits. Some people feel more comfortable in their own space, and that allows them to get into a better flow of productivity or creativity they can't obtain in an office. Many people who work remotely rely heavily on a cell phone, laptop, and Wi-Fi connection to complete the bulk of their work throughout the day.
Sometimes, bad weather can negatively impact the work you’re able to do remotely. It’s not always easy to contact your supervisor or boss and inform them of what’s happening or explain that you can’t get as much work done, especially if they’re in an area where the weather isn’t affecting their productivity at all. Thankfully, you can work from home during bad weather in many ways. Here are some helpful tips on how you can stay productive during rough weather conditions.
How Bad Weather Affects Your Cell Signal
Whether you live in a crowded urban area or a rural, remote spot, heavy rain can negatively impact your cell service. Most cell signals suffer from direct interference, or physical obstructions that cause the signals from a nearby cell tower to bounce or move around rather than have a straight path. On a clear day, direct interference includes buildings, trees, cars, and anything else in the way of the signal.
During heavy rainfall, the water droplets in the air become very strong forms of direct interference. Cellular waves bouncing off falling water droplets can significantly slow your signal and make it harder to maintain a connection.
Because rain, snow, and even fog create moisture in the air, the water conducts electricity that impacts cell service. The most common outcome of extreme weather is slower, less reliable signals due to direct interference. Contrary to popular belief, differing temperatures don’t have much of an impact on your cellular signal. You may seem to have poor reception on hot days, but that’s likely because of the high humidity in the atmosphere impacting signal waves in the same way that rain and mist can.
In more extreme situations, you may have to deal with indirect interference. Experts typically describe this as when something directly impacts the cellular tower rather than the signal itself. Examples may include lightning striking the tower or a fallen tree branch knocking it out of order.
What To Do in Rough Weather
If you anticipate rough weather coming your way, you can take some important steps to ensure your work goes smoothly. The first thing you should do is contact your boss or higher-up and inform them that adverse weather may impact your performance. Many companies understand this is a possibility when working remotely, so it’s a good idea to be transparent about that. Your company may even offer designated time-off hours for inclement weather in extreme circumstances like blizzards or hurricanes that may knock out your power for several days.
Many remote jobs involve making phone calls, attending virtual meetings, and using the Internet for tasks or information gathering. One of the best ways to work from home during bad weather is to install a cell phone signal booster in your residence. Signal boosters can amplify your cell service and make it easier to hold calls or maintain a connection, even when it’s pouring rain outside.
In extreme circumstances where the weather may knock out your power but you still have cellular service, you can stay ahead of the game. We recommend fully charging all of your mobile devices before the weather gets too bad. Invest in a portable charger to give your devices some extra juice if necessary.
Unfortunately, a power outage means your signal booster won't work unless you can connect it to a generator or battery pack to keep it running. You may find your cell phone is very difficult to use in situations where the weather is so rough that it knocks out the power. A common cause of signal slowdown is when too many people try to use a signal at once. This situation is commonplace during blackouts since people will try to use their cell signal rather than Wi-Fi to contact family and friends or learn more about the power outage.
Working With Limited to No Wi-Fi
If you're working remotely through rough weather but suffer from your Internet connection going down, that doesn't mean your work day needs to come to a complete halt. Thankfully, many remote positions offer plenty of tasks you can accomplish from a laptop or cell phone, even without the Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet directly!
You can still make phone calls and draft emails in a document software, even if you can’t access your email. If you’re still on the clock during rough weather and trying to work around a power outage, we recommend checking the current status of your devices and breaking down your tasks into things you can accomplish until the Internet or electricity comes back on—hopefully soon!
Prioritize Your Safety
Remember that no job is worth compromising your personal safety. If you find yourself in a place where evacuation is your only option, get to a safe spot as soon as possible. Once you settle down somewhere secure, you can contact your boss or supervisor and try to explain the situation. One of the most significant advantages of remote work is that you can get permission to relocate somewhere else and work from there. It’s never a good idea to force yourself to stay in a situation with dangerous weather if it threatens your safety.
To learn more about how to maintain a stable and reliable cell phone signal, SureCall Boosters is here to help. We have many helpful blogs on cell phone applications and getting the most out of your service provider. Our online catalog has a wide range of cell phone range extenders for commercial buildings, and we can find the right booster for your remote office or residential address. For more details or to inquire about our services, reach out to us anytime via email at Sales@SureCallBoosters.co.ca.
