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A player taking aim with a shotgun at a zombie during heavy rainfall and light fog.

Weather affects various systems, including farming, foraging, player health and more. Project Zomboid uses a randomized realistic climate system, based off Kentucky's humid subtropical climate. There are four distinct seasons, with substantial variations between the summer and winter. Some winters can see extremely low temperatures with large amounts of snowfall, whilst summers may be scorchers, however the degree of this can vary with each new season.

Weather fronts

The weather is heavily defined by weather fronts, which can be either cold (low air mass) or warm (high air mass), each of which will be accompanied by its own weather conditions. The intensity of the weather conditions is governed by the strength of the previous front, and the strength of the current front. For example, if the previous front was a strong warm front, and the current is a cold front, there will be a greater chance of a tropical storm occurring. Each front can last a few days, up to several weeks.

Weather

There are numerous weather types within Project Zomboid, all of which are determined by the current weather front. The player can experience, cloudy, rainy, snowy, stormy, foggy, windy and sunny weather.

Cloudy

"Investigate Area" window showing a very cloudy day.

Clouds can vary in density, often having a great effect on the level of light. Widespread cloud cover is often associated with a warm front, reducing the level of light. Thick clouds can often occur during a cold front, plunging the world into darkness for a brief period. The current cloud cover can be seen as shadows on the ground, or even as reflections in vehicle windows. Clouds are represented on the "investigate area" window in the sky with the intensity starting at being absent, and progressing from white to dark gray.

Rain and snow

"Investigate Area" window showing heavy rain/snow.

The player experiencing heavy snowfall.

Rain, also referred to as precipitation, can come in several forms, from light showers to heavy rainfall. Light showers often occur after a warm front has passed, since this will usually result in widespread cloudiness. Heavy rainfall is often associated with a cold front; however, this can also occur during a warm front. Rain will create puddles, gradually increasing in size, with rate dependent on the intensity of rainfall. Puddles don't have any effect on vehicle traction. Puddles are a natural water source, allowing the player to drink or fill a water container. However, the water will be tainted. Puddles will gradually dissipate after the rain has stopped.

Rain will gradually fill up rain collector barrels and water containers capable of collecting rain water, so long as they are outside in the rain. Rain will also automatically water crops and eventually extinguish a campfire, which can be countered by adding more fuel.

During winter, the temperature can be cold enough for snowfall to occur rather than rainfall. During snowfall, the ground, trees and other surfaces will gradually become covered in snow. Snow will stay on the ground so long as the temperature is less than 0 °C (32 °F). Once above 0 °C (32 °F), the snow will gradually melt. Snow also doesn't have any effect on vehicle traction.

Rain and snow is represented on the "Investigate Area" window, with a white haze close to the ground and dark gray clouds. Many items become harder to find during the rain, with some being easier to find, such as worms and frogs. Many items are even easier to find shortly after it has stopped raining, rather than during the rain, such as mushrooms. Likewise, some can be harder to find after it's stopped raining, such as medicinal plants (plantain, wild garlic, etc.). Snow will negatively affect most items, particularly plants, such as bell peppers, bananas, or basic items like stones.

If the player is caught in the rain or snow, their clothing will become wet, starting with outer layers and gradually moving inwards, until all clothing is wet. This will eventually make the player wet, increasing in severity depending on the level of rainfall and time spent in the rain. Staying wet, in combination with temperature and wind, will cause the player to feel colder and may eventually catch a cold, causing them to involuntarily cough and sneeze. The rain can be blocked by having an open umbrella equipped, keeping the player dry. Once wet, a clothes dryer can be used to dry clothing and a dish towel or bath towel used to dry the player.
The severity of the rain and snow will affect the player's visibility arc and distance. This will also affect the zombies ability to see and hear the player.

Thunder clouds and tropical storms

"Investigate Area" window showing a lightning flash.

Thunder clouds may form during a cold front, with the intensity varying with the level of air mass. A colder front (lower air mass) moving into a warmer body (higher air mass) will have a greater chance of producing thunder or even a tropical storm, in which has a lot more wind power, thick clouds and darkness. Thunder is represented on the "Investigate Area" window with flashes of light.
Zombies are attracted to the sound of thunder.
On multiplayer servers, a rumble of thunder can be heard, even if it's clear sunny skies. This is the result of a player being banned from the server.

Fog

"Investigate Area" window showing heavy fog.

Fog, like light showers and widespread cloudiness, is often formed during a warm front. However, fog can also appear during cold mornings, which will usually result in a clear sunny day. Fog can severely affect the player's visibility, making it somewhat dangerous to scavenge during a foggy day. Fog, like rain, can only be seen outdoors, making it safer to stay indoors when it's foggy. Fog is represented on the "Investigate Area" window with a white haze close to the ground.

Sunny

"Investigate Area" window showing a very cloudy day.

Sunny days are caused by the absence of clouds, often being the result of a cold front. Clear skies are often accompanied by higher temperatures, increasing the player's risk of getting hyperthermia. The intensity of a sunny day can be determined by the intensity of the reddish hue when outside or the absence of any other weather effects in the "Investigate Area" window. The effects of a sunny day can be reduced by removing some clothing or staying indoors.

Wind

The watch showing time, date, and temperature.

Wind can be observed during any time of the year via the weather effects, movement of foliage, rain and snow direction, or even the cloud movement direction. During winter months, windchill becomes a major effect on the player when outdoors. Windchill will cause the player to feel colder than the actual air temperature, as is displayed on a digital watch. Clothing type can reduce the amount of windchill experienced by the player.

Temperature

The temperature in Project Zomboid can vary greatly depending on the current season. Temperature is influenced by several factors, including the season, time of day, wind strength, and air mass, in which determines the weather front. The weather front will determine the maximum and minimum temperature for each day, with the temperature increasing until it reaches the day's maximum temperature, at which point it will begin to fall until it reaches the minimum temperature.

Seasons

There are four distinct seasons: summer, winter, autumn, and spring. Each season has its own unique weather and temperature traits.

Summer

June - August
Summer is typically the hottest season, able to reach temperatures up to and beyond 40 °C (104 °F). Although the typical summer will see very little rainfall, scattered clouds and daytime temperatures averaging 30 °C (86 °F). However, each summer can be very different from the last, with some seeing lower temperatures and more rainfall. Daylight in the summer is the longest of the seasons.

Summer is also the canonical starting season in Project Zomboid, as the Knox Event started on the 4th of July, and the game starts on the 9th of July by default.

Autumn

September - November
Autumn generally has the most extreme weather, having a higher chance of generating tropical storms in the earlier months. Plant life will lose their leaves during these months and may even see snow during the later months. Farming will have a very low yield during autumn.

Winter

December - February
Winter is the coldest season, with temperatures often getting into the negatives and down to -30 °C (-22 °F). Snowfall is most likely to occur during winter, creating snowfields and covering surfaces and plant life in snow. Farming will result in limited yields during these months, with many foragable items impossible or harder to find, plants in particular. Of all the seasons, daylight is shortest during winter.

Spring

March - May
Spring is the most average season, with frequent rain, chance of storms and the most likely to see fog. This season is abundant with wildlife, with foraging and farming yielding plenty of food and resources.

Moon cycle

The moon cycle is based on a 30-day cycle with 8 different moon phases. Each moon phase provides a different amount of ambient light during nighttime, ranging from 0.0 (New Moon) to 0.7 (Full Moon). The current moon phase can be determined via the "Investigate Area" window.

Moon phase attributes
ID	Name	Day	Light
0	New Moon	1-4	0.0
1	Waning Crescent	5-8	0.2
2	Third Quarter	9-12	0.4
3	Waning Gibbous	13-15	0.5
4	Full Moon	16-18	0.7
5	Waxing Gibbous	19-22	0.5
6	First Quarter	23-26	0.4
7	Waxing Crescent	27-30	0.2

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{languages}}
+{{Header|Project Zomboid|World|Environment}}
-{{VersionNotice|2.9.9.17 (14)}}
+{{Page version|41.78.16}}
+{{Reupload|Images needs to be updated to build 41}}
+[[File:Weather-fog rain.png|thumb|A player taking aim with a shotgun at a zombie during heavy rainfall and light fog.]]
+'''Weather''' affects various systems, including [[farming]], [[foraging]], player [[health]] and more. [[Project Zomboid]] uses a randomized realistic climate system, based off Kentucky's humid subtropical climate. There are four distinct seasons, with substantial variations between the summer and winter. Some winters can see extremely low temperatures with large amounts of snowfall, whilst summers may be scorchers, however the degree of this can vary with each new season.
-[[File:Weather UI.png|200px|thumb|right|The empty black box above the Quest manager shows the current weather]]
+==Weather fronts==
+The weather is heavily defined by weather fronts, which can be either cold (low air mass) or warm (high air mass), each of which will be accompanied by its own weather conditions. The intensity of the weather conditions is governed by the strength of the previous front, and the strength of the current front. For example, if the previous front was a strong warm front, and the current is a cold front, there will be a greater chance of a tropical storm occurring. Each front can last a few days, up to several weeks.
-Weather effects the temperature of the game world and survivors may have to adapt to weather accordingly. Currently, weather has little effect on zombies other than rain causing slight noise.  When the game loads, the max and minimum tempurature, the type of weather (but not its details), and the current moon phase are loaded from the save.  The moon phase is immediately recalculated to make sure it is accurate.
+==Weather==
+There are numerous weather types within Project Zomboid, all of which are determined by the current weather front. The player can experience, cloudy, rainy, snowy, stormy, foggy, windy and sunny weather.
-Every 10 minutes the weather, moon phase, lighting, and tempurature get checked and if required updated.
+===Cloudy===
+[[File:Forage Cloudy.png|thumb|"Investigate Area" window showing a very cloudy day.]]
+Clouds can vary in density, often having a great effect on the level of light. Widespread cloud cover is often associated with a warm front, reducing the level of light. Thick clouds can often occur during a cold front, plunging the world into darkness for a brief period. The current cloud cover can be seen as shadows on the ground, or even as reflections in vehicle windows. Clouds are represented on the "[[Foraging|investigate area]]" window in the sky with the intensity starting at being absent, and progressing from white to dark gray.
+{{Clear}}
-==Weather==
+===Rain and snow===
-Weather is updated every 10 minutes.  All weather lasts for 4 hours, with the exception of Rain, which may end abrutely at any time, but will still never last more than 4 hours.  There are four types of weather currently: [[Rain|Rainy]], [[Sunny]], Normal, and [[Cloudy]].
+[[File:Forage Rain.png|thumb|"Investigate Area" window showing heavy rain/snow.]]
+[[File:Weather-snow.png|thumb|The player experiencing heavy snowfall.]]
+Rain, also referred to as precipitation, can come in several forms, from light showers to heavy rainfall. Light showers often occur after a warm front has passed, since this will usually result in widespread cloudiness. Heavy rainfall is often associated with a cold front; however, this can also occur during a warm front. Rain will create puddles, gradually increasing in size, with rate dependent on the intensity of rainfall. Puddles don't have any effect on [[vehicles|vehicle]] traction. Puddles are a natural [[water]] source, allowing the player to [[Moodles#Thirst|drink]] or fill a [[Water#Containers|water container]]. However, the water will be tainted. Puddles will gradually dissipate after the rain has stopped.
+Rain will gradually fill up [[Rain Collector Barrel|rain collector barrels]] and [[Water#Containers|water containers]] capable of collecting rain water, so long as they are outside in the rain. Rain will also automatically water [[farming|crops]] and eventually extinguish a [[campfire]], which can be countered by adding more fuel.
+During [[#Winter|winter]], the temperature can be cold enough for snowfall to occur rather than rainfall. During snowfall, the ground, trees and other surfaces will gradually become covered in snow. Snow will stay on the ground so long as the temperature is less than 0 °C (32 °F). Once above 0 °C (32 °F), the snow will gradually melt. Snow also doesn't have any effect on [[vehicles|vehicle]] traction.
+Rain and snow is represented on the "[[Foraging|Investigate Area]]" window, with a white haze close to the ground and dark gray clouds. Many items become harder to find during the rain, with some being easier to find, such as [[worm]]s and [[frog]]s. Many items are even easier to find shortly after it has stopped raining, rather than during the rain, such as [[mushroom]]s. Likewise, some can be harder to find after it's stopped raining, such as medicinal plants ([[plantain]], [[Wild Garlic|wild garlic]], etc.). Snow will negatively affect most items, particularly plants, such as [[Bell Pepper|bell peppers]], [[banana]]s, or basic items like [[stone]]s.
+If the [[player]] is caught in the rain or snow, their [[clothing]] will become wet, starting with outer layers and gradually moving inwards, until all clothing is wet. This will eventually make the player [[Moodles#Wet|wet]], increasing in severity depending on the level of rainfall and time spent in the rain. Staying wet, in combination with [[#Temperature|temperature]] and [[#Wind|wind]], will cause the player to feel [[Moodles#Hypothermia|colder]] and may eventually catch a [[Moodles#Has a Cold|cold]], causing them to involuntarily cough and sneeze. The rain can be blocked by having an open [[umbrella]] equipped, keeping the player dry. Once wet, a [[Clothes Dryer|clothes dryer]] can be used to dry clothing and a [[Dish Towel|dish towel]] or [[Bath Towel|bath towel]] used to dry the player.<br>
+The severity of the rain and snow will affect the player's visibility arc and distance. This will also affect the [[zombie]]s ability to see and [[Noise|hear]] the player.
+{{Clear}}
+===Thunder clouds and tropical storms===
+[[File:Forage Thunder Anim.gif|thumb|"Investigate Area" window showing a lightning flash.]]
+Thunder clouds may form during a cold front, with the intensity varying with the level of air mass. A colder front (lower air mass) moving into a warmer body (higher air mass) will have a greater chance of producing thunder or even a tropical storm, in which has a lot more wind power, thick clouds and darkness. Thunder is represented on the "[[Foraging|Investigate Area]]" window with flashes of light.<br>
+[[Zombie]]s are attracted to the [[Noise|sound]] of thunder.<br>
+On multiplayer servers, a rumble of thunder can be heard, even if it's clear sunny skies. This is the result of a player being banned from the server.
+{{Clear}}
+===Fog===
+[[File:Forage Fog.png|thumb|"Investigate Area" window showing heavy fog.]]
+Fog, like light showers and widespread cloudiness, is often formed during a warm front. However, fog can also appear during cold mornings, which will usually result in a clear sunny day. Fog can severely affect the player's visibility, making it somewhat dangerous to scavenge during a foggy day. Fog, like rain, can only be seen outdoors, making it safer to stay indoors when it's foggy. Fog is represented on the "[[Foraging|Investigate Area]]" window with a white haze close to the ground.
+{{Clear}}
+===Sunny===
+[[File:Forage Sunny.png|thumb|"Investigate Area" window showing a very cloudy day.]]
+Sunny days are caused by the absence of clouds, often being the result of a cold front. Clear skies are often accompanied by higher temperatures, increasing the player's risk of getting [[Moodles#Hyperthermia|hyperthermia]]. The intensity of a sunny day can be determined by the intensity of the reddish hue when outside or the absence of any other weather effects in the "[[Foraging|Investigate Area]]" window. The effects of a sunny day can be reduced by removing some clothing or staying indoors.
+{{Clear}}
-Weather is choosen randomly by picking a number between 1 and 100 and comparing it to a weather table for each month.  Whatever weather is randomly choosen becomes the current weather, unless the weather choosen is Rain or Sunny.  If the weather is Sunny, there is a check done to determine if it is night time.  If it is night time, then the Sunny weather just becomes normal weather as it can't be Sunny at night time.  If the weather selected is Rain, then a check is done against the sandbox's rain settings.
+===Wind===
+[[File:Weather-UI.png|160px|thumb|The watch showing time, date, and temperature.]]
+Wind can be observed during any time of the year via the weather effects, movement of foliage, rain and snow direction, or even the cloud movement direction. During winter months, [[Moodles#Windchill|windchill]] becomes a major effect on the player when outdoors. Windchill will cause the player to feel colder than the actual air temperature, as is displayed on a [[Digital Watch|digital watch]]. [[Clothing]] type can reduce the amount of windchill experienced by the player.
-If the rain level in the Sandbox settings is set to Very Dry, then there is a 100% chance that the game will change the newly selected Rain weather to Normal weather.  If the rain level settings in Sandbox are Dry then the chance is instead 50% that Rain will be changed to Normal.
+==Temperature==
+The temperature in Project Zomboid can vary greatly depending on the current season. Temperature is influenced by several factors, including the season, time of day, wind strength, and air mass, in which determines the weather front. The weather front will determine the maximum and minimum temperature for each day, with the temperature increasing until it reaches the day's maximum temperature, at which point it will begin to fall until it reaches the minimum temperature.
+{{Clear}}
-If anything other than Rain or Sunny is selected, then another check is performed against the Sandbox settings.  If the Sandbox settings are Rainy, then there is a 50% chance that the randomly choosen weather will instead become Rain.  If the Sandbox settings are Very Rainy, this chance is instead 100%.
+==Seasons==
+There are four distinct seasons: summer, winter, autumn, and spring. Each season has its own unique weather and temperature traits.
-The selected weather, along with the season, determines the minimum and maximum tempurature for the day.  It also determines the distance that the player character can see.
+===Summer===
+''June - August''<br>
+Summer is typically the hottest season, able to reach temperatures up to and beyond 40 °C (104 °F). Although the typical summer will see very little rainfall, scattered clouds and daytime temperatures averaging 30 °C (86 °F). However, each summer can be very different from the last, with some seeing lower temperatures and more rainfall. Daylight in the summer is the longest of the seasons.
-If anything other than Rain was choosen as the weather and it was raining, the rain obviously stops.  If it has already rained once that day, the chances of it raining again are significantly lower.  If Rain was choosen as the current weather and it has already Rain at least once today it randomly determines whether or not it will Rain again.  The chance for it to rain again is (1/((how many times it has rained * 5)-1).  So if it has already rained once today, there is a 3/4 chance that it will not rain again, or if it has already rained twice today, there is a 8/9 chance that it will not rain again.  If the game decides that it will not rain again, but Rain had been selected, it becomes Cloudy instead.
+Summer is also the canonical starting season in Project Zomboid, as the [[Knox Event]] started on the 4th of July, and the game starts on the 9th of July by default.
-===Rain===
+===Autumn===
-While it is raining, the intensity of the rain can vary considerably.  Rain intensity ranges 0 to 34.  When it first begins to rain a minimum and maximum intensity is randomly selected.  The minimum intensity is randomly selected from a range of 0 to 4.  The maximum intensity is randomly selected from a range of 9 to 34.
+''September - November''<br>
+Autumn generally has the most extreme weather, having a higher chance of generating tropical storms in the earlier months. Plant life will lose their leaves during these months and may even see snow during the later months. Farming will have a very low yield during autumn.
-Every hour there is a random chance that the rain will stop.  By default this is a 20% chance, but the rain settings in Sandbox can change this chance.
+===Winter===
+''December - February''<br>
+Winter is the coldest season, with temperatures often getting into the negatives and down to -30 °C (-22 °F). Snowfall is most likely to occur during winter, creating snowfields and covering surfaces and plant life in snow. Farming will result in limited yields during these months, with many [[Foraging|foragable]] items impossible or harder to find, plants in particular. Of all the seasons, daylight is shortest during winter.
-{|class="wikitable"
+===Spring===
-!Sandbox Setting!!Random Abrute Rain Chance
+''March - May''<br>
-|-
+Spring is the most average season, with frequent rain, chance of storms and the most likely to see fog. This season is abundant with wildlife, with foraging and farming yielding plenty of food and resources.
-|Very Dry||100%
-|-
-|Dry||50%
-|-
-|Default||20%
-|-
-|Rainy||11%
-|-
-|Very Rainy||7%
-|}
-==Moon Cycle==
+==Moon cycle==
-The moon cycle is based on a 30 day cycle.  There are 8 different moon phases.  Each moon phase provides a different amount of ambient light during the night time.  Ranging from 0.0 (New Moon) to 0.7 (Full Moon).
+The moon cycle is based on a 30-day cycle with 8 different moon phases. Each moon phase provides a different amount of ambient light during nighttime, ranging from 0.0 (New Moon) to 0.7 (Full Moon). The current moon phase can be determined via the "[[Foraging|Investigate Area]]" window.
-The moon progresses as follows:
+{|class="wikitable theme-red" style="text-align: center;"
-{|class="wikitable"
+|+Moon phase attributes
-!Day!!Moon Phase ID!!Ambient Light
+!ID!!Name!!{{abbr|Icon|As represented on the &quot;Investigate Area&quot; window}}!!Day!!Light
 |-
+|0
+|New Moon
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon0.png|32px|New Moon]]
 |1-4
-|0
 |0.0
 |-
+|1
+|Waning Crescent
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon1.png|32px|Waning Crescent]]
 |5-8
-|1
 |0.2
 |-
+|2
+|Third Quarter
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon2.png|32px|Third Quarter]]
 |9-12
-|2
 |0.4
 |-
+|3
+|Waning Gibbous
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon3.png|32px|Waning Gibbous]]
 |13-15
-|3
 |0.5
 |-
+|4
+|Full Moon
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon4.png|32px|Full Moon]]
 |16-18
-|4
 |0.7
 |-
+|5
+|Waxing Gibbous
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon5.png|32px|Waxing Gibbous]]
 |19-22
-|5
 |0.5
 |-
+|6
+|First Quarter
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon6.png|32px|First Quarter]]
 |23-26
-|6
 |0.4
 |-
+|7
+|Waxing Crescent
+|style="background-color: #4f4feb;"|[[File:zd_moon7.png|32px|Waxing Crescent]]
 |27-30
-|7
 |0.2
 |}
-==Temperature==
+==See also==
-Every day there is a minimum and maximum temperature.  These are determined by the month and the current weather.  The temperature will go up a little bit at a time until it hits the maximum temperature for the day, at which point it will begin to fall until it reaches the minimum temperature.
+*[[Erosion]]
-==Effects on your character==
-The in-game weather, which is mentioned above, is having a certain effect on your character. The combination of the temperature outside and the clothes your character is wearing, can lead to [[Moodles#Hyperthermia|Hyperthermia]] and [[Moodles#Hypothermia|Hypothermia]]. The effects of hyperthermia or hypothermia can be avoided by changing clothes accordingly.
-Rain can have a serious effect on your character, if not taken seriously. When your character stays out in the rain, he will get [[Moodles#Wet|wet]]. At this point, there is no way to avoid getting wet when you are outside and it is raining. Your speed then decreases the more wet you get. Once you become soaking, you have the chance of becoming [[Moodles#Cold|sick]] and it is increased when becoming drenched. However, your character will get dryer when he stays inside again. Drying yourself with a [[Dish_Towel|Dish Towel]] or a [[Bath_Towel|Bath Towel]] will instantly dry your character.
-[[Category: The Game World]]
-[[Category: Weather]]