Does Wind Affect Ping Pong? (9 Facts About Weather)

When it comes to table tennis and weather, there are many things to vary about, the wind certainly being one of them. In this article, I will teach you whether wind affects table tennis, the temperatures and moisture, and much more about table tennis. But first, does wind affect ping pong?

When playing table tennis outdoors, wind can certainly affect the ball’s course because it only weighs 2.7 grams (0.095 oz), and the global average wind speed is around 7.4mph (11.9kph). Thus, even a slight blow of wind will alter its movement.

Despite that, outdoor table tennis will go smoothly on a calm day, and there are no problems because of the wind. On the other hand, when it’s a really windy day, playing ping pong would bring difficulties.

There is one solution for windy outdoor table tennis, and it’s possible because the ball doesn’t need to be regulation size. The solution is Outdoor Ping Pong Balls that are 41% heavier than their average ball, so it isn’t nearly as easily affected by the wind!

I think these balls are great because isn’t table tennis a recreational thing that doesn’t need to be so up to code with all the precise ball weight etc. If you like outdoor table tennis, you should definitely try the balls out, even on a windy day.

Now, the wind isn’t the only weather element that affects table tennis. There are many more but let’s talk about rain for a second.

Read also: 10 Best Table Tennis Rackets (Full Reviews)

Can You Play Table Tennis In the Rain?

Technically, if you have an outdoor table tennis table and a weatherproof racket, you can play table tennis in the rain. However, water drops may affect the ball’s course when it hit it from the top. Also, the ball will get affected by the wet table, so it isn’t as fun to play as with calm weather.

There are also rain-resistant table tennis balls designed to be water and wind-resistant, and they don’t have a seam which makes them considerably more durable. Also, an outdoor table tennis racket would be a must if you were to play in the rain or even moisture.

Personally, I love rain, and I think it would be a fun experience to play in the rain. However, don’t expect it to be the match of the year where you show off your best skills.

Does Temperatures Affect Table Tennis Racket?

In addition to wind and rain, there are temperature changes! Whether that is below 0°C (32°F) or above 40°C (104°F), there will be an effect to the racket as a whole, and to its specific parts. Let’s take a look at how temperatures affect the racket.

Learn more: How Long Do Ping Pong Paddles Last? (Know The 4 Factors)

How does temperature affect the blade

In most cases, temperatures don’t affect the racket’s blade. However, if exposed to extreme heat and sunlight, the handle and sides could start warping. Also, if you leave your blade to moisture and leave it below 0°C (32°F), it would affect the blade’s molecule structure by breaking it; thus, your blade would crack.

All in all, leaving a delicate table tennis racket that is made mainly from wood and rubber to extreme temperatures and weather conditions really doesn’t sound good, to begin with. It would be best if you always kept your racket in a cool, dry place where air flows. Also, a racket case wouldn’t hurt.

How does temperature affect the rubber

The rubber is the most delicate part of the table tennis racket, and even a moderate temperature and sunlight can shrink and deteriorate the rubber. Also, low temperatures will drastically stiffen the rubber, which will make it less powerful, especially if it’s humid at the same time.

The best thing to produce your racket’s rubber is to use a protective film and store it in a racket case in neutral temperatures without humidity.

Read also: Why Are Table Tennis Rackets Red & Black?

Does Heat Affect Table Tennis Table?

Now that we understand how weather affects the balls and rackets, let’s learn what it can do to the table.

First of all, if you have an outdoor table tennis table that is weatherproof, there are no worries or problems that anything would happen to it caused by temperatures or other elements.

However, you should double-check the net if it is weatherproof because sometimes they aren’t. High temperatures and humidity aren’t good for the net if it isn’t weatherproof.

When it comes to indoor table tennis tables, they shouldn’t be exposed to heat and sunlight because it will discolor the tabletop and make it warp, drastically worsening the game, and the surface can come apart.

This is why indoor ping pong tables have indoor in their name. They should always be kept inside at room temperature without moisture or exposure to sunlight. However, on a calm and cloudy day, it doesn’t harm to take the table outside for a while but after you are done, take it back inside.

Read also: Indoor Vs Outdoor Table Tennis Tables? (7 Differences)

Will Water Ruin a Ping Pong Table?

Indoor table tennis tables will be ruined by water and moisture if exposed to them for too long. Indoor tables are made from wood or particle boards that absorb the water, causing the tabletop to swell, and making it uneven. Also, this will cause warping.

Whenever you clean your table tennis table, you should use only a moderate amount of water and dry it carefully afterward.

On the other hand, the outdoor table is designed to withstand weather conditions, including water and moisture. These tables are often made from metal or even wood with a proper covering, so they won’t absorb moisture.

Some people have reported that even when they have stored their ping pong tables in their garage, it has taken some water damage. I highly recommend using a ping pong table cover if you keep your table anywhere from a moisture-free room. Table covers will protect the table from moisture and sunlight, snow debris, scratches, and dirt.

Lear more: 5 Best Ping Pong Table Covers (Full Guide)

How Do You Fix a Water Damaged Ping Pong Table?

If your ping pong table has absorbed moisture and become uneven, you can fix it by using sandpaper, wood filler, and ping pong table paint. You will also need a cloth and rubbing alcohol. See instructions below:

1. Sand the uneven spot with rough sandpaper just over the even surface. Finish with fine sandpaper to smooth it well and remove all dust and wood particles.
2. Add the wood filler and level it as well as possible. However, don’t worry about it at this point because when it’s dried out, you can finish the leveling with the finest sandpaper grit. Remove all dust and wood particles once again.
3. After the final sanding, add a small amount of rubbing alcohol and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
4. Add the ping-pong table paint following the package’s instructions. Usually, this takes more than one coating.
5. After one coating, try how even the spot is. If it needs more leveling, use the smoothest sandpaper and level it more before adding another layer of paint.

How Does Temperature Affect The Bounce of a Ping Pong Ball?

Table tennis balls are made from thin plastic; therefore it is easily affected by temperatures. When the ball is exposed to heat, it becomes more elastic because the material becomes stretchier than a ball in a room or cold temperatures. This makes the ball bounce higher than usual.

Learn more: Why Do Ping Pong Balls Bounce?

What Happens When You Freeze a Ping Pong Ball?

I am always been curious to see what happens to a ping pong ball if you put it in the freezer, so I did.

I kept my ping pong ball in the freezer for +24 hours and bounced the cold one next to a room temperature ball. The results I saw were that on the first couple of tries, the frozen ball bounced lower; however, it gained its regular temperature back much faster than anticipated, making them bounce at the same level.

I was expecting bigger differences between the two, but the frozen effects left within 30seconds. Also, there were no ice particles on the ball whatsoever, even when I wet one of the frozen balls before freezing. This is because they are so water-repellant that ice couldn’t form on the ball’s surface.

Conclusion

There is so much to learn about table tennis and its compatibility with the outdoors, weather, and elements. The table tennis ball is affected by the wind; however, the wind’s speed needs to be fast if you can notice it every strike.

I hope that this article gave you a new perspective on how to view your table tennis gear regarding weather conditions and how to handle them in a different situations. Remember always to use protective gear such as film, racket cases, and table covers.