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The UK’s weather has been especially unsettled lately, with some areas seeing up to 40 consecutive days of rain and places like Aberdeen enduring nearly three weeks without a glimpse of the sun. Beyond dampening spirits, these prolonged bouts of rain, cloud and shifting atmospheric conditions can also interfere with your TV signal.

If you’ve noticed new pixelation, missing channels or a completely frozen screen, the culprit could be right outside your window. Here’s how different weather conditions affect TV reception and what you can (and can’t) do about it.

Clear Skies & High Pressure: When ‘Good Weather’ Causes Bad TV

It may seem surprising, but sunny weather and high‑pressure systems can affect your TV signal. On a warm summer day, high pressure can create a temperature inversion, trapping warm air beneath a layer of cooler air. This ‘mirror effect’ reflects TV signals far beyond their normal range. As a result, signals from distant transmitters can overlap with your local one, causing pixelation, freezing or total loss of picture.

There’s no technical fix for this and retuning won’t help, so the best option is to wait. Reception usually returns to normal once the weather changes.

Rain & Storms: How Wet Weather Disrupts TV Signals

Heavy rain can weaken and scatter TV signals, especially higher‑frequency UHF channels. This often leads to picture breakup or a temporary loss of signal.

In stormy conditions, wet leaves, moving branches or debris can block your aerial’s line of sight, causing brief interruptions.

Windy Weather: When Your Aerial Takes a Beating

Strong winds can shake or move your aerial, and even a slight shift in position can seriously affect reception.

If you’ve had a recent storm and your TV signal is still poor afterwards, let conditions settle and then check whether the aerial has moved. A quick visual inspection or a visit from an engineer can often resolve the issue.

Snow, Frost & Cold Weather: Seasonal Interference

Heavy snowfall and ice build‑up can block or absorb TV signals, especially on rooftop aerials. Ice build-up can also weigh your aerial down or subtly shift its alignment, weakening reception.

Clearing snow from the aerial (if accessible) or waiting for it to melt usually resolves the issue.

Could It Be Something Else? TV Interference from Mobile Signals

Not all reception problems are weather‑related. If the weather improves but your TV interference remains, there’s a small chance it may be due to mobile signal upgrades. We’re here to help. Call us on 0808 13 13 800 (free from UK landlines and mobiles).