Control weather conditions and atmospheric behavior on your DayZ server. Configure overcast, fog, rain, wind, snowfall, and storm systems to create unique and immersive gameplay experiences.
The cfgweather.xml file controls all weather systems in DayZ, including atmospheric conditions, precipitation, wind patterns, and storm behavior. Weather has a major impact on visibility, survival, and immersion. Each weather element is state-based and transitions smoothly between values over time, allowing for realistic and dynamic weather patterns.
Set to 0 to use the config values on every server restart for consistent weather. Set to 1 to load the last saved weather state from storage for persistent, evolving weather patterns.
Set to 1 to activate the weather system. Set to 0 to disable all weather entirely. Disabling weather is not recommended for normal gameplay as it removes atmospheric immersion.
Each weather element (overcast, fog, rain, windMagnitude, windDirection, snowfall) follows the same structure with these sub-elements:
The current value, how long it's been active, and how long it will last before transitioning to a new state.
The minimum and maximum values this element can reach, defining the range of possible weather intensity.
How quickly or slowly the element can change in seconds, controlling transition speed between states.
The maximum amount the value can change in a single transition, preventing sudden dramatic shifts.
Controls cloud coverage and sky conditions. Overcast affects visibility, lighting, and is a prerequisite for rain and storms. Higher values make precipitation more likely.
Controls fog density and visibility. Fog creates tense, atmospheric gameplay but excessive amounts can frustrate players. Use moderate values for realism without harming playability.
Controls precipitation intensity. Rain requires overcast conditions and includes threshold settings. Rain increases survival difficulty and immersion but excessive rain can frustrate players.
Controls snow precipitation. Similar to rain but with different visual effects. Use snowfall only on winter or arctic maps—set to 0.0 for Chernarus and temperate maps.
Wind is configured through two separate elements: windMagnitude (speed) and windDirection (angle). Wind affects sound, particle effects, and can influence gameplay in subtle ways.
Wind speed in meters per second (0.0-20.0 m/s)
Direction angle in radians (-3.14 to 3.14)
Controls lightning storm behavior. Storms add dramatic weather effects with lightning strikes and thunder. Use sparingly for special events or to increase challenge.
Lightning frequency from 0.0 (no lightning) to 1.0 (frequent lightning strikes). Higher values create more intense storm experiences.
Overcast level required for storms (0.0-1.0). Higher values mean storms only occur during heavy overcast conditions.
Time in seconds between lightning strikes. Lower values create more frequent strikes during active storms.
Complete example showing all weather elements configured for a temperate climate with dynamic weather patterns. Use this as a starting point and adjust values to fit your server's theme.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<weather reset="0" enable="1">
<overcast>
<current actual="0.45" time="120" duration="240" />
<limits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
<timelimits min="600" max="900" />
<changelimits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
</overcast>
<fog>
<current actual="0.05" time="120" duration="240" />
<limits min="0.02" max="0.08" />
<timelimits min="900" max="900" />
<changelimits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
</fog>
<rain>
<current actual="0.0" time="60" duration="120" />
<limits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
<timelimits min="60" max="120" />
<changelimits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
<thresholds min="0.6" max="1.0" end="60" />
</rain>
<windMagnitude>
<current actual="8.0" time="120" duration="240" />
<limits min="0.0" max="20.0" />
<timelimits min="120" max="240" />
<changelimits min="0.0" max="20.0" />
</windMagnitude>
<windDirection>
<current actual="0.0" time="120" duration="240" />
<limits min="-3.14" max="3.14" />
<timelimits min="60" max="120" />
<changelimits min="-1.0" max="1.0" />
</windDirection>
<snowfall>
<current actual="0.0" time="0" duration="32768" />
<limits min="0.0" max="0.0" />
<timelimits min="300" max="3600" />
<changelimits min="0.0" max="0.0" />
<thresholds min="1.0" max="1.0" end="120" />
</snowfall>
<storm density="1.0" threshold="0.9" timeout="45"/>
</weather>Common weather configuration patterns for different atmospheric conditions. Mix and match these presets to create your own dynamic weather system.
Heavy weather effects can impact server and client performance, especially on lower-end systems. Monitor your server's performance when using intense weather configurations. Consider your player base's hardware capabilities when setting maximum fog and rain values. For the most immersive experience, use reset="0" to ensure consistent weather on restarts, and coordinate your weather settings with your server's day/night cycle for maximum atmosphere.