Can thunderstorms interfere with computer wireless connexions?

Factual Questions
1

Or do I problem with my computer?

I’m using a MacBook with System 10. Last night, we had a lot of trouble logging on - pages wouldn’t load, Safari and Mail both got hung up, lots of re-starts, etc.

At the same time, there were major thunderstorm and tornado warnings out. Nothing materialised right around us, but there was heavy cloud cover and lightening strikes in the area.

Were the two connected? Can a major electrical storm cause enough static to interfere with a wireless connexion? or do I have a problem starting with my computer?

Thanks.

2

Do you have DSL or cable? I would think that either could be affected by bad weather somewhere along the lines, though not necessarily the wireless portion of your network. I know that my DSL has been interrupted for short periods after and during storms.

3

Yes. Any large electrical discharge will mess up radio transmission, and of course your connection is data which has to be resent every time the data packet fails. Any link along the way can be affected. The storm was likely causing problems along multiple points of the data transfer.

4

Thanks for the comments.