Super El Niño Could Cause Widespread Internet Outages This Winter

An "unprecedented" Super El Niño is expected to bring severe storms and power cuts this autumn and winter, potentially leaving millions of Britons without internet access, according to experts. Power cuts have become the leading cause of internet outages, contributing to 41% of service failures, according to Uswitch research.

Last year, approximately 26.7 million Britons experienced a loss of broadband connection, an increase of nearly 20% from the previous year. Experts warn that the current El Niño, which is gathering strength, could exacerbate these disruptions.

Stormy weather can damage power infrastructure through high winds, falling trees, and lightning strikes, leading to power outages that subsequently disrupt broadband and landline services. Professor Adam Scaife, head of monthly to decadal prediction at the Met Office, has stated he has "never seen an El Niño signal this intense in our forecasts." While El Niño does not directly impact British weather, warm Pacific Ocean temperatures can influence atmospheric patterns, including the jet stream, which can then affect weather systems over the UK.

The Met Office forecasts that El Niño conditions increase the likelihood of storms in late autumn and early winter. Forecasters expect the Super El Niño to peak in December and persist into spring, potentially becoming the strongest El Niño on record. This increased risk of stormy weather heightens the probability of widespread power and broadband outages.

Uswitch notes that nearly four million adults in the UK lost their broadband connection due to storms, floods, or severe weather in the past year. In rural areas, where power grids may be more vulnerable to tree damage, one in eight adults experienced storm-related outages. A significant portion of these outages are prolonged; two-thirds of those affected last year, or 17.6 million people, were without service for three or more hours.

Severe weather events are predicted to become more common due to climate change, necessitating preparedness from Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). In 2021, Storm Arwen left over one million homes without electricity, with 400,000 customers experiencing outages for more than three days, and nearly 4,000 for over a week.

To prepare for potential disruptions, Uswitch advises households to ensure mobile phones are fully charged and to consider a backup 4G or 5G router. For landlines that connect through a broadband router, these will not function during a power cut without a backup power supply. Britons are encouraged to know who to contact in case of a power cut (dial 105 in Great Britain) and to inquire about the Priority Services Register if they rely on medical equipment or have health conditions. It is also recommended to have a plan for alternative internet access if broadband is lost.