Difference between revisions of "Weather"

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{{Feature}}
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[[File:NH Press Sep 2019 Rain.png|350px|thumb|right|A player standing in the rain in {{NH|short|nolink}}]]
[[File:Snowy.jpg|140px|thumb|Snow falling slowly in ''Wild World'']]
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'''Weather''' plays a part in the {{SER}}, changing daily and reflecting the seasons. Notable weather changes include winter snowstorms, late summer rainstorms and the clear skies of early summer. Weather is mentioned by villagers, influenced by the [[plants|flora]] and fauna in the [[player]]'s town, and, most importantly, reflected by the seasons and the time of year, greatly enhancing gameplay.
'''Weather''' plays a major part in the {{SER}} series, changing daily and reflecting the seasons. Notable weather includes winter snows, late summer rainstorms and the clear skies of early summer. Weather is mentioned by villagers, influences the [[plants|flora]] and fauna in the [[player]]'s town, and, most importantly, reflects the seasons and the time of year, greatly enhancing gameplay. In the original {{PG}}, the layout of the game ensures that the sky is only visible at one occasion, on the [[train]]- it is always cloudy. This means that the paragraphs about cloud coverage only apply to {{WW}} and {{CF}}.
 
  
Weather consists of two main features- precipitation and cloud coverage. These aspects are present constantly, whilst other, more unusual features add to the variation of the game.
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Weather consists of two main features: precipitation and cloud coverage. These aspects are present constantly, whilst other, more unusual features add to the variation of the game.
  
==Cloud Coverage==
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==Precipitation==
[[image:day.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The sky as it changes throughout the day, from 12:00pm to 2:00am.]]
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'''Precipitation''' comes in two forms in the {{SER|nolink}}: '''rain''' and '''snow'''. Snow falls only in the winter months, with rain occurring during the rest of the year, though more often during spring and the late summer rainy season. Precipitation can change from hour to hour, but will often last for much of the day, easing off as the day progresses.
[[Image:Cloud Cover.jpg|140px|thumb|The six cloud stages. Please note that these clouds are from ''City Folk'']]
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[[Image:Night.jpg|140px|thumb|Clouds in ''Wild World'' have a more uniform shape]]
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===Rain===
[[Image:Time Changing.jpg|140px|thumb|Cloud coverage changing in the last 10 minutes of the hour in ''City Folk''. This feature is not found in ''Wild World'']]
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[[File:NL Rain.jpg|thumb|right|A player in the rain in {{NL|short|nolink}}]]
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Rain falls throughout the year, in all four seasons. Rain, like snow, waters wilted plants without the need for a [[Watering Can|watering can]]. Rainy weather switches the hourly music to variants with a light ringing noise, in ''Animal Crossing'', only one tune plays during rainy weather, no matter the hour. Villagers who are outside when rain is falling carry umbrellas and might also comment on the weather. [[Frog (species)|Frog]] villagers, however, do not carry umbrellas since they are amphibious. After a rainy day, it is common to find [[Gyroid (furniture)|Gyroids]] around the player's town. Villagers may also comment on the weather. In {{NH|short|nolink}}, villagers may wear rain clothes and hat instead of holding an umbrella.
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In {{CF|short|nolink}}, rain can be heard falling on the roofs of homes when inside them.
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If it is raining in the [[city]] in {{CF|short|nolink}}, the town will also be affected by this rain, even if it is a clear day – plants will be automatically hydrated and Gyroids can be found underground the next day. This only works if the player returns from the city after visiting it in the rain, and will not work if they simply save the game and quit when in the city.
  
There are many different levels of '''Cloud Coverage'''. These levels can potentially change every hour, and range from clear to complete. Cloud coverage changes abruptly in ''Wild World'', but in ''City Folk'' changes gradually in the last ten minutes before the hour.
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====Thunderstorms====
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Occasionally, thunderstorms can occur during rainy days. On rare occasions, lightning can be seen. Thunderstorms are purely cosmetic and otherwise act identical to normal rain.
  
Clouds always travel from the north of the town towards the sea, somewhat contradicting the fluttering of the town flag and the floating pattern of balloons. Clouds appear white in the day, unless rain bearing, upon which they are grey. Clouds at night are a darker shade of grey. Cloud coverage gives an indication as to what the weather will be like in the coming hours. Dark, thick clouds usually signify rain, whereas light cloud usually means that the skies will be clear later on.  
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===Snow===
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[[File:CF Snowy Weather.jpg|thumb|right|A snow-coated town in {{CF|short|nolink}}. Note the dense, gray clouds.]]
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[[File:NH Press Sep 2019 Snowflake.png|thumb|right|A player catching a snowflake in {{NH|short|nolink}}]]
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Snow falls from mid-to-late November until early-to-late February (or late May until late-August in the southern hemisphere in {{NH}}), settling in early December, with complete coverage by the {{Date|11}} of December ({{Date|10}} in {{PG}} and the {{Date|11}} of June in the southern hemisphere in {{NH|short|nolink}}). Settled snow covers all grassy areas, buildings and trees. Snowballs appear around town every day in winter, and can be rolled into [[Snow People]]. Additionally, in {{NL|short|nolink}} and {{NH|short|nolink}}, snowflakes will fly around town and can be caught with a [[net]]. When snowing, hourly music is altered slightly to sound more like the rain variants but with sleigh bell sounds integrated into them as well. Like rain, snow hydrates wilted flowers without the need for a watering can. Villagers who are outside during winter may talk about the abundance of snow or the cold.
  
Clouds in ''[[Animal Crossing: Wild World|Wild World]]'' consist entirely of oval-shapes, and are bright white. They can be viewed on the upper screen of the [[Nintendo DS]]. Clouds in ''[[Animal Crossing: City Folk|City Folk]]'' are less regular in shape and colour, and so appear more varied. They can be veiwed on the horizon or by pressing the 'up' button on the [[Wii]] remote. This rolls the screen up so that the sky dominates the view.
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On the {{Date|10}} of December (or the {{Date|10}} of June in a Southern Hemisphere island in {{NH|short|nolink}}), heavy snowfall can be sighted, leading to snow sticking to the ground the next day. Due to a bug in {{NL}}, on certain calendar patterns where the 10th falls on a Saturday, it will not snow due to it conflicting with the [[Fishing Tourney]].
  
There are six varieties of cloud coverage, which affect various, minor aspects of gameplay. For example, the brightness of a room, whether lights are on or not, and the comments of villagers. Here is a list of the six cloud densities, and a brief description.
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*'''[[Winter]]''' – Rain falls very infrequently in late winter.
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*'''[[Spring]]''' – Moderate rainfall occurs in the spring. Thunderstorms can occur, but it is rare.
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*'''[[Summer]]''' – Summer has a great contrast in rain levels; mid and late summer is completely dry, with clear skies and no rain. Early summer consists of heavy thunderstorms and rainy weather spanning days.
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*'''[[Fall]]''' – Low to moderate levels of rainfall occur in fall. Thunderstorms taper off after the end of September.
  
*'''Clear''': No clouds in the sky. The sky appears bright blue, or at night, full of stars.
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===Effect on wildlife===
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[[File:Caught Coelacanth NH.jpg|thumb|right|Fishing on a rainy day is the only way to catch a Coelacanth (alternatively, a snowy day works in certain games)]]
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Rain and snow influence the presence of insects and fish.
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====Fish====
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{{Main|Fish}}
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One fish, the rare [[Coelacanth]], appears only when it is raining or snowing (snow does not count in {{DnM+}}, {{PG}}, {{DnMe+}}, or {{NH}}). This unusual behavior makes it even harder to catch.
  
*'''Wisp''': Similar to clear, but with faint, infrequent specks of white cloud trailing across the sky.
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====Bugs====
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{{Main|Bugs}}
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Rain and snow prevents butterflies (prior to {{NH|nolink}}), many varieties of beetles, the [[Scorpion]], and the [[Tarantula]] (with the exception in {{NH|short|nolink}} for the latter two) from appearing even when they are in-season. However, some bugs only appear when it rains, such as the [[Snail]]. Cicadas can still be found when it is raining, but they make no noise. [[Catch quote]]s for cicadas in {{NL|short|nolink}} and {{NH|short|nolink}} are also different when caught in the rain.
  
*'''Light''': Noticable clouds in the sky, dispersed but still frequent. Clouds white.
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The [[Dung Beetle]] is the only bug that is dependent on snow to exist – it appears exclusively when snow is on the ground, the reason being that it can be found rolling around snowballs on the ground.
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{{Clear}}
  
*'''Moderate''': Substantial cloud cover, lowered level of brightness.[[File:Animal_Crossing_wikia_Pictures_058.jpg|thumb|Clouds while it's raining in city folk]]
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==Cloud coverage==
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[[File:CF Sky Through the Day.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The sky as it changes throughout the day, from 6:00 AM to 4:00 AM]]
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[[File:CF Cloud Cover.jpg|140px|thumb|The six cloud stages. Please note that these clouds are from {{CF|short|nolink}}]]
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[[File:WW Day Cloudy.png|140px|thumb|Clouds in {{WW|short|nolink}} have a more uniform shape]]
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[[File:CF Cloud Coverage Time Changing.jpg|140px|thumb|Cloud coverage changing in the last 10 minutes of the hour in {{CF|short|nolink}}. This feature is not found in {{WW|short|nolink}}.]]
  
*'''Dense''': Packed cloud with gaps in coverage. Low level of brightness and lowered visibility. If rain or snow bearing, clouds are steel grey.
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There are many different levels of '''cloud coverage'''. These levels can potentially change every hour, and range from clear to complete. In the original {{PG}}, the layout of the game ensured that the sky was only visible on one occasion, on the [[train]], where it was always cloudy. This means that the paragraphs about cloud coverage only apply to games following {{PG|nolink}}. Cloud coverage changes abruptly in {{WW|short|nolink}}, but in {{CF|short|nolink}} changes gradually in the last ten minutes before the hour.
  
*'''Complete''': Heavy and steel grey with only small breaks in cloud. Always bearing rain or snow. Low visibility, horizon appears dull and foggy.
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Clouds always travel from the north of the town towards the sea, somewhat contradicting the fluttering of the town flag and the floating pattern of balloons. Clouds appear white in the day, unless rain bearing, upon which they are gray. Clouds at night are a darker shade of gray. Cloud coverage gives an indication as to what the weather will be like in the coming hours. Dark, thick clouds usually signify rain, whereas light cloud usually means that the skies will be clear later on.  
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
  
==Precipitation==
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Clouds in {{WW|short}} consist entirely of oval-shapes, and are bright white. They can be viewed on the upper screen of the [[Nintendo DS]]. Clouds in {{CF|short}} are less regular in shape and color, and so appear more varied. They can be viewed on the horizon or by pressing the 'up' button on the [[Wii]] remote. This rolls the screen up so that the sky dominates the view.
[[Image:Snowy Day.jpg|325px|thumb|A snow-coated town. Note the dense, grey cloud in the sky]]
 
'''Precipitation''' comes in two forms in ''Animal Crossing''; '''rain''' or '''snow'''. Snow only falls in the winter months, with rain occuring during the rest of the year, though especially during spring and the late summer rainy season. Precipitation can change from hour to hour, but will often last for much of the day, easing off as the day progresses.
 
  
==='''Snow'''===
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There are six varieties of cloud coverage, which affect various, minor aspects of gameplay. For example, the brightness of a room, whether lights are on or not, and the comments of villagers. Here is a list and brief description of the six cloud densities.  
Snow falls from mid November till early February, settling in early December. Settled snow covers all grassy areas, buildings and trees. Snowballs appear round town every day in winter, and can be rolled into [[snowmen]]. When snowing, town music varies slightly, with sleigh bell sounds integrated into each tune. Snow hydrates wilted flowers without the need of a watering can. Villagers who are outside during winter may talk about the abundance of snow or the cold.
 
  
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*'''Clear''': No clouds in the sky. The sky appears bright blue, or at night, full of stars.
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*'''Contrail''': A single or two line-shaped clouds that trails across the sky. It can occasionally be seen with other types of clouds, or by itself. This cloud is artificial, as it is only produced by aircraft.
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*'''Wisp''': Similar to clear, but with faint, infrequent specks of white cloud trailing across the sky.
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*'''Light''': Noticeable clouds in the sky, dispersed but still frequent.
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*'''Moderate''': Substantial cloud cover, lowered level of brightness.
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*'''Dense''': Packed clouds with gaps in coverage. Low level of brightness and lowered visibility.
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*'''Complete (1)''': Heavy and steel gray with only small breaks in cloud. Always bearing rain. Low visibility, horizon appears dull and foggy.
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*'''Complete (2)''': During a thunderstorm, or when snow is falling, the clouds will have even less breaks in them. Low visibility, horizon appears dull and foggy.
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{{Clear}}
  
==='''Rain'''===
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==Weather warnings==
Rain falls throughout the year, in all four seasons. Rain, like snow, waters wilted plants without the need for a [[Watering Can|watering can]]. Rain is reflected in the town's music with a light ringing noise, but in ''Animal Crossing'', only one tune plays during rainy weather, no matter the hour. Villagers who are outside when rain is falling carry umbrellas and might also comment on the weather. After a rainy day, it is common to find [[gyroid (furniture)|gyroids]] around the player's town.
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At the start of each new major weather system, a note is left on the bulletin board to inform the [[player]] of its imminent arrival.
  
In ''City Folk'' rain can be heard falling on the roofs of homes when inside them.
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*'''Snow Warning''' – Two days before snow settles on the ground, a notice appears to notify the player. The notice appears in early December.
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*'''New Year Weather''' – A bulletin containing information on the following month's snow levels, temperature and the possibility of ponds freezing over. The notice is posted in mid-January.
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*'''Summer Forecast''' – Headed as 'Weather Forecast', this notice appears on the first Wednesday of [[May]]. It reveals the [[summer]] forecast, stating when the rainy season will start, and when the temperature should start to pick up.
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*'''Meteor Shower''' – Although not a weather system, this note appears before a meteor shower labeled as a 'Weather Warning'. Meteor showers arrive at random times in the year, starting at 7 PM and lasting well into the night. These do not appear in {{WW|short|nolink}}.  
  
If it is raining in the [[City]] in ''City Folk'', the town will also be affected by this rain, even if it is a clear day- plants would be automatically hydrated and gyroids would be found underground the next day. This only works if the player were to return from the city after visiting it in the rain, and will not work if they simply save the game and quit when in the city.[[File:Animal Crossing wikia Pictures 084.jpg|thumb|Note the dark grey clouds. This may produce rainfall]]
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In addition, weather can be forecasted, providing a short-term summary of the overall conditions of the following day. If the player turns on a [[TV|television]], it will, at certain times of the day, display the weather, using symbols such as a sun, cloud or raindrop. This forecast is always correct, but is limited to generalizing the next day's weather. It cannot, therefore, give hourly predictions.
  
*'''[[Winter]]'''- Rain falls very infrequently in late winter, during February.
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In {{NL}}, the instrument shelter, a [[public works project]], can inform the player of the next hour's weather.
  
*'''[[Spring]]'''- moderate rainfall in spring.
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<gallery>
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WW Bulletin Board Sunny.png|Bulletin for the upcoming summer season in {{WW|short|nolink}}
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CF Bulletin Board Meteor Shower.jpg|Bulletin for an upcoming meteor shower in {{CF|short|nolink}}
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</gallery>
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{{clear}}
  
*'''[[Summer]]'''- Summer has a great contrast in rain levels; early summer is completely dry, with clear skies and no rain. Late summer is the rainy season, with heavy thunderstorms and rainy weather spanning days.
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==Other features==
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*On nights where the sky is clear, [[meteor shower]]s can occur. The shooting stars can be wished upon by pressing the 'A' button when it flashes through the sky. It is only possible to do this when holding no items. In games prior to {{NH|short|nolink}}, this will result in a present being mailed to the player, containing a [[spotlight item]]. In {{NH|short|nolink}}, star fragments will appear on the beach the next day.
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*Rainbows can be seen very occasionally in the sky, as they only appear when the sky has cleared suddenly after many hours of heavy rain or snowfall. The rainbow fills the sky, brightening as the hour progresses, until it peaks after thirty minutes. Within the hour, it disappears. During a rainbow, the chances of finding 100 Bells in trees is increased. They appear towards the end of the day, but not at night. In {{NL|short|nolink}} and {{NH|short|nolink}} it is possible to see a double rainbow. An error in the coding of weather patterns makes it impossible to see a rainbow from October 1 to December 15 in the southern hemisphere in {{NH|short|nolink}}.
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*In both {{WW|short|nolink}} and {{CF|short|nolink}}, the sky clears when a fireworks show is due to take place. Meteors only appear on clear nights as well, and are accompanied by a twinkling noise. In {{NL|short|nolink}}, it will be sunny the whole day when the Fireworks show is set to take place.
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*In the [[city]] area in {{CF|short|nolink}}, the weather is often different from that in the player's town. Snow does not settle in the city, but does on the bus that drives to and from it. If it is raining in the city, the animals there will carry umbrellas.
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*Confetti falls continuously from the sky during the [[Festivale]] in {{CF|short|nolink}} and {{NL|short|nolink}}. On this day, the sky tends to be very clear, as any snowfall would conflict with the fall of confetti.
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*In early [[April]] (or early [[October]] in the southern hemisphere), trees will grow cherry blossoms, and those cherry blossoms will float through the sky, much like confetti does during Festivale (see above). The sky is clear on these days. In {{NH|short|nolink}}, they can be caught with a net and used for [[DIY]] recipes.
  
*'''[[Autumn]]'''- Like spring, there are moderate levels of rainfall in autumn.
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===Aurora===
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[[File:NH Press Aurora Borealis.jpg|thumb|right|The aurora in {{NH|nolink}}]]
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The '''aurora''', also known as the '''northern lights''',<ref>''Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Prima Official Game Guide'', page 126.</ref> is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the night sky in the {{SER}} beginning in {{CF}}.
  
===Precipitation's Effect on Wildlife===
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In {{CF}} and {{NL}}, the aurora is visible on clear winter nights, and can be seen from 8 PM until 10 PM. It is at its brightest at 9 PM, shining bright shades of pink and green and moving constantly in a folding motion. In {{NH}}, it can appear in any hour with clear conditions between 7 PM and 4 AM, as long as there are no shooting stars that night.
  
In all games in the ''Animal Crossing'' series, rain and snow influences the presence of insects and fish.
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Residents of the [[player]]'s town may comment on the aurora when it is in the sky. It can be seen in full by adjusting the camera angle while outdoors, enabling the player to get a full view of the sky.
  
====Fish====
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==Patterns==
{{main|Fish}}
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===In {{NH|nolink}}===
[[File:Coelacanth.jpg|thumb|Fishing on a snowy or rainy day is the only way to catch a [[Coelacanth]].]]
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There are currently 40 possible weather patterns in {{NH|short}}, six of which had been added in updates.<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16VjCWO94jG_QexsBAjoKLntyfUF_e-B6WPRl8l-jM1o/edit#gid=1175395937</ref><ref>[https://acnh.isomorphicbox.com/updates/2.0.0/ 2.0.0 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Datamine]</ref>
It is generally considered that rain encourages more [[fish]] to appear in ''Animal Crossing'' games. One fish, the rare [[Coelacanth]], only appears when it rains or snows- this unusual behaviour makes it even harder to catch.
 
  
====Insects====
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{| class="styled color-gameplay" align=center style="text-align:center; width: 40%;"
{{main|Bug}}
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|-
Many [[insect]]s only appear during the summer months due to the sunny, warm weather. Rain prevents [[butterfly|butterflies]], many varieties of [[beetle]]s, the [[scorpion]] and the [[tarantula]] from appearing even when they are in-season, but can also encourage others to appear - the [[Snail]] can only be found when it is raining. Cicadas can still be found when it is raining, but they do not make noise.
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! width="10%" colspan=2 | Key
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|-
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|style="background-color:#d6f9ff;"|F
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|Fine, clear weather
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|-
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|style="background-color:#fff8ab;"|S
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|Fair, mildly cloudy weather
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|-
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|style="background-color:#e8e8e8;"|C
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|Average, cloudy weather
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|-
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|style="background-color:#cccecf;"|RC
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|Heavy, cloudy weather
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|-
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|style="background-color:#a5a8aa;"|R
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|Rainy/snowy weather
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|-
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|style="background-color:#5f6365;color:#ffffff;"|HR
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|Heavy, rainy/snowy weather
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|}
  
The [[Dung Beetle]] is the only insect that is dependent on snow to exist – it appears exclusively when snow is on the ground, the reason being that it can only be found rolling snowballs around on the ground.
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{{WeatherPatternTable|game=New Horizons|
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine00|F|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|F|F|S|F|F|F|S|S|F|note=Heavy [[meteor shower]] pattern from 7PM – 4AM}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine01|S|F|S|S|S|F|S|C|F|S|F|S|S|C|S|C|S|F|S|F|F|S|F|F|note=Aurora pattern (only in [[winter]])|note-name=Aurora}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine02|S|S|F|S|F|C|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|C|S|S|S|F|F|F|F|S|S|S|note=Light meteor shower pattern from 7PM – 4AM|note-name=Meteor shower|note2=Prior to version 1.3.0, 6PM was Sunny and 7PM was Cloudy}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine03|S|S|F|S|S|F|S|S|C|S|F|S|S|S|F|C|F|F|S|F|S|F|F|F|note-name=Aurora}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine04|S|S|S|S|C|S|S|F|S|C|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|F|F|F|S|S|note-name=Meteor shower}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine05|S|S|S|F|S|S|F|S|S|C|S|S|F|S|C|S|S|F|S|C|S|S|F|S|note-name=Aurora}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine06|S|C|S|S|C|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|C|C|S|S|S|F|F|F|S|F|S|S|note-name=Meteor shower|note2=Prior to version 1.3.0, 5PM was Sunny and 7PM was Cloudy}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine07|F|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|S|S|S|C|F|S|F|S|C|note=Used on the archipelago island.|note-name=Archipelago|note2=Added in version 1.11.0|note2-name=1.11.0 weather|note3=Prior to version 2.0, 8PM, 10PM, 11PM and 4AM were Clear}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine08|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|note=Used on [[boat tour]]s|note-name=Boat tour}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Fine09|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|F|note-name=Boat tour}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Cloud00|C|RC|C|C|C|S|S|C|C|C|S|S|C|C|C|RC|C|C|S|S|S|S|C|C}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Cloud01|C|C|C|S|C|RC|C|C|S|C|C|C|RC|RC|C|C|S|S|S|S|C|RC|C|C}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Cloud02|C|C|RC|R|R|R|C|C|RC|R|R|R|C|C|RC|C|RC|C|C|C|C|C|RC|C}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain00|R|R|RC|C|S|RC|R|R|R|R|R|R|C|C|RC|R|R|R|C|S|C|RC|R|R}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain01|R|R|R|R|C|RC|R|R|C|C|RC|HR|R|R|R|R|S|S|C|RC|R|R|R|R}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain02|R|R|R|RC|R|S|RC|R|R|R|C|R|R|R|RC|HR|R|R|R|RC|C|R|R|R}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain03|R|RC|R|R|HR|HR|R|R|HR|HR|HR|HR|R|R|R|R|R|C|RC|R|R|R|R|R}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain04|R|R|HR|HR|HR|HR|R|HR|HR|HR|R|R|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|R|R|R|HR|HR|R}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain05|HR|HR|R|R|HR|HR|HR|HR|R|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|R|R|C|S|RC|R|R|HR|R}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain06|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|HR|note2-name=1.11.0 weather}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|Rain07|R|HR|C|C|R|HR|HR|R|HR|RC|R|HR|R|R|HR|RC|HR|R|RC|C|R|HR|R|RC|note-name=Archipelago|note2-name=1.11.0 weather|note3=Prior to version 2.0, 5AM, 9AM, and 11PM were Rain Clouds, 6AM and 10PM were Cloudy, 1PM, 9PM, 12AM,  2AM, and 4AM were Rain, and 2PM, 3PM, and 8PM were Heavy Rain}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|FineCloud00|R|C|C|C|C|C|S|S|F|S|S|F|S|S|S|C|C|C|C|RC|C|RC|RC|C}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|FineCloud01|C|S|S|S|F|S|S|F|S|S|C|RC|R|R|C|C|RC|C|C|C|RC|C|C|C}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|FineCloud02|C|F|S|F|S|S|C|C|S|C|C|C|C|C|RC|C|RC|RC|R|R|R|C|C|C}}
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{{WeatherDisplay|CloudFine00|RC|R|R|C|R|S|C|S|C|C|S|S|F|S|S|S|S|F|F|F|S|S|S|S|note=Rainbow pattern (outside of winter)|note-name=Rainbow}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|CloudFine01|S|R|C|C|C|C|RC|R|S|S|C|S|S|F|S|F|F|S|F|S|S|S|S|S|note-name=Rainbow}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|CloudFine02|F|C|RC|R|C|RC|R|S|S|S|S|F|S|F|S|F|F|S|F|S|S|S|S|S|note-name=Rainbow}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|FineRain00|S|S|F|S|F|S|F|S|R|S|S|S|S|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|F|S|S|S|note-name=Rainbow}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|FineRain01|S|F|S|S|F|S|S|R|C|R|S|S|S|F|S|S|S|S|S|F|S|F|S|S|note-name=Rainbow}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|FineRain02|F|F|S|F|S|F|S|F|S|S|HR|C|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|S|F|F|S|S}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|FineRain03|S|S|S|F|S|F|F|S|S|HR|R|S|S|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|F|S|F|S|note-name=Rainbow}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|CloudRain00|R|C|C|S|C|C|RC|R|R|R|HR|HR|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|CloudRain01|C|S|S|C|C|R|R|R|C|C|RC|R|R|R|R|R|C|R|R|R|R|R|R|C}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|CloudRain02|R|C|C|C|S|S|C|C|RC|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|RC|HR|HR|R|HR|R}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|RainCloud00|C|R|R|C|C|RC|R|R|C|RC|C|S|S|C|C|C|C|C|C|C|RC|C|C|C}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|RainCloud01|RC|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|C|RC|C|C|C|C|C|S|S|C|C|C|C|C}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|RainCloud02|RC|HR|HR|R|R|R|C|C|R|C|C|C|C|C|RC|C|RC|C|C|S|S|C|C|RC}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|Commun00|S|F|S|S|S|F|S|C|F|S|F|S|S|C|S|C|S|F|S|F|F|S|F|F|note=Used on [[Harv's Island]]}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|EventDay00|S|F|S|S|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|F|S|F|S|F|F|S|F|F|note=Used on event days and on a resident's first day}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|EventDay01|C|S|F|S|F|S|S|F|S|S|C|S|C|RC|RC|C|RC|RC|C|RC|RC|RC|RC|C|note=Used on [[Halloween]]|note2=Added in version 1.5.0}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|EventDay02|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|HR|HR|R|HR|HR|HR|R|HR|HR|HR|R|HR|note=Used on [[Toy Day]] if on the [[Hemisphere|northern hemisphere]]|note2=Added in version 1.6.0|note2-name=1.6.0 weather}}
 +
{{WeatherDisplay|EventDay03|R|HR|R|HR|R|HR|R|RC|HR|R|HR|C|S|C|F|S|F|S|C|F|S|C|S|C|note=Used the next day after [[Toy Day]] if on the [[Hemisphere|northern hemisphere]]|note2-name=1.6.0 weather}}
 +
}}
  
==Weather Warnings==
+
==Appearances==
[[Image:Meteor Shower.JPG|300px|thumb|A bulletin notifying the Player of a soon-to-arrive meteor shower on ''City Folk''.]]
+
Below are tables showing the chance of certain types of weather throughout the year in each game.
[[Image:Forecast.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Snow forecast on a television.]]At the start of each new major weather system, a note is left on the bulletin board to inform the [[Player]] of its imminent arrival.
 
  
*'''Snow Warning'''- Two days before snow settles on the ground, a notice appears to notify the Player. Appears in early December.
+
===In {{PG|nolink}}===
*'''New Year Weather'''- A bulletin that contains information on the following month's snow levels, temperature and the possibility of ponds freezing over. Posted in mid January.
+
{| class="styled color-gameplay" style="width: 100%; text-align:center;"
*'''Summer Forecast'''- Headed as 'Weather Forecast', this notice appears on the first Wednesday of [[May]]. It tells the Player of what weather to expect during the [[Summer]]- stating when the rainy season will start, and when the temperature should start to pick up.
+
|-
 +
! style="width:20%" | Dates
 +
! style="width:10%" | Rain
 +
! style="width:10%" | Thunderstorm
 +
! style="width:10%" | Snow
 +
! style="width:10%" | Heavy snow
 +
|- style="background-color:#fff;"
 +
| Jan 1 – 7
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jan 8 – Feb 24
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 20%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 10%
 +
|-
 +
| Feb 25 – Mar 31
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 20%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|- style="background-color:#fff;"
 +
| Apr 1 – 8
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Apr 9 – 19
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 20%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Apr 20
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Apr 21 – Jun 25
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 20%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 10%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jun 26 – Jul 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 30%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 20%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jul 16 – Aug 31
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 10%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Sep 1 – 30
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 40%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Oct 1 – 30
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 20%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Nov 1 – 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 10%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 10%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Nov 16 – Dec 9
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 30%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 10
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 11 – 24
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 40%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 20%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 25 – 30
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 60%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 40%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 31
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|}
  
*'''Meteor Shower'''- Although not a weather system, this note appears before a meteor shower labelled as a 'Weather Warning'. Meteor showers arrive at random times in the year, starting at 7PM and lasting well into the night. These do not appear in ''Wild World''.
+
===In {{NH|nolink}}===
 +
====Northern hemisphere====
 +
{| class="styled color-gameplay" style="width: 100%; text-align:center;"
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:20%" | Dates
 +
! style="width:10%" | Rain
 +
! style="width:10%" | Heavy rain
 +
! style="width:10%" | Snow
 +
! style="width:10%" | Heavy snow
 +
|- style="background-color:#fff;"
 +
| Jan 1 – 4
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jan 5 – Feb 23
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 22%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 21%
 +
|-
 +
| Feb 24
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 30%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Feb 25 – Mar 31
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 24%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 12%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|- style="background-color:#fff;"
 +
| Apr 1 – 10
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Apr 11 – Jun 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 25%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 14%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jun 16 – Jul 5
 +
| style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 30%
 +
| style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 38%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jul 6 – Jul 31
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 25%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 11%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Aug 1 – 31
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 13%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 20%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Sep 1 – 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 21%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 28%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Sep 16 – 30
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 23%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 13%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Oct 1 – Nov 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 26%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 7%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Nov 16 – Nov 25
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Nov 26 – Dec 9
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 24%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 12%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 10
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 11 – 23
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 28%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 28%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 24 – 30
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 30%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 70%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 31
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|}
  
In addition, weather can be forecast, providing a short-term summary of the overall conditions of the following day. If the Player owns a television, it will, at certain times of the day, display the weather, using symbols such as a sun, cloud or raindrop. This forecast is always correct, but is limited to generalising the next day's weather. It cannot, therefore, give hourly predictions.
+
====Southern hemisphere====
 +
{| class="styled color-gameplay" style="width: 100%; text-align:center;"
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:20%" | Dates
 +
! style="width:10%" | Rain
 +
! style="width:10%" | Heavy rain
 +
! style="width:10%" | Snow
 +
! style="width:10%" | Heavy snow
 +
|-
 +
| Jan 1 – 4
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Jan 5 – 31
 +
| style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 25%
 +
| style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 11%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Feb 1 – 28/29
 +
| style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 18%
 +
| style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 15%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Mar 1 – 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 21%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 24%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Mar 16 – 31
 +
| style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 23%
 +
| style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 13%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Apr 1 – May 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 26%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 8%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| May 16 – 24
 +
| style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 12%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| May 25
 +
| style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 30%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| May 26 – Jun 9
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 24%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 12%
 +
|-
 +
| Jun 10
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Jun 11 – 30
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 28%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 28%
 +
|-
 +
| Jul 1 – Aug 23
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 22%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 21%
 +
|-
 +
| Aug 24
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|style="background-color:#d5fdfd" | 30%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Aug 25 – Sep 30
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 24%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 12%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Oct 1 – 10
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Oct 11 – Dec 15
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 15%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 12%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 15 – 30
 +
|style="background-color:#d8e1f3" | 25%
 +
|style="background-color:#fff2cc" | 14%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|-
 +
| Dec 31
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
| 0%
 +
|}
  
[[Image:TheFallingStar.JPG|thumb|200px|left|A meteor]]
+
==Gallery==
 +
{{Image|section}}
 +
==={{WW|nolink}}===
 +
<gallery>
 +
WW Day Clear.png|Clear weather in the day
 +
WW Day Rainbow Light Clouds.png|A rainbow with sparse clouds in the day.
 +
WW Day Raining.png|Raining in the day
 +
WW Evening Cloudy.png|Clouds in the evening
 +
WW Late Evening Cloudy.png|Clouds in the late evening
 +
WW Dusk Cloudy.png|Sparse clouds at dusk
 +
WW Night Raining.png|Raining at night
 +
</gallery>
  
==Other Weather Features and Facts==
+
==={{CF|nolink}}===
[[Image:Rainbow.jpg|285px|left|thumb|A faint rainbow, as it appears in ''City Folk''.]]
+
<gallery>
*Unlike in ''City Folk'', [[Weather#Weather Warnings|meteors]] only appear on their own in ''Wild World''. They can be wished upon by pressing the 'A' button when it flashes through the sky. It is only possible to do this when holding no items. This will result in a present being mailed the the Player, containing a [[spotlight item]] usually only available from [[Tom Nook's Store]].
+
CF Meteor in the Sky.jpg|A meteor falling from the sky
 +
CF Rainbow.jpg|A faint rainbow
 +
CF Dark Gray Clouds.jpg|Dark gray clouds indicate possible rainfall
 +
CF Forecast TV Program.jpg|Snow forecast on a television
 +
CF New Year's Day Aurora.jpg|An aurora in the sky
 +
CF Aurora (Phenomenon).jpg|An aurora at around 8:45 PM
 +
</gallery>
  
*Rainbows can been seen very occasionaly in the sky, as they only appear when the sky has cleared suddenly after many hours of heavy rain or snowfall. The rainbow fills the sky, brightening as the hour progresses, until it peaks after thirty minutes. Within the hour, it disappears. During a rainbow, the chances of finding 100 Bells in trees is increased. They appear towards the end of the day, but not at night.
+
==={{NL|nolink}}===
 +
<gallery>
 +
NL Rainbow and Railroad.jpg|A rainbow
 +
NL Double Rainbow.jpg|A double rainbow
 +
NL Aurora (Phenomenon).jpg|An aurora
 +
NL Aurora Borealis.gif|An aurora
 +
NL Instrument Shelter Inspecting.jpg|Checking out the instrument shelter
 +
</gallery>
  
*In both ''Wild World'' and ''City Folk'', the sky clears when a fireworks show is due to take place. Meteors only appear on clear nights as well, and are accompanied by a twinkling noise.
+
==={{NH|nolink}}===
 +
<gallery>
 +
NH Weather Clear.jpg|Clear weather
 +
NH Weather Sunny.jpg|Sunny weather
 +
NH Weather Cloudy.jpg|Cloudy weather
 +
NH Weather Rain Clouds.jpg|Rain clouds. Despite the name, seeing these clouds does not always guarantee that it will rain.
 +
NH Weather Rainy.jpg|Rainy weather
 +
NH Weather Snow.jpg|Snowy weather
 +
NH Weather Heavy Rain.jpg|Heavy rain, which darkens the sky considerably more than regular rain
 +
NH Weather Thunderstorm.jpg|A thunderstorm, which can only occur during hours when heavy rain occurs
 +
NH Weather Heavy Snow.jpg|Heavy snow
 +
NH Weather Rainbow.jpg|A rainbow near full brightness
 +
NH Weather Double Rainbow.jpg|A faint double rainbow
 +
NH Meteor Shower.jpg|Two shooting stars streaking across the sky during a meteor shower at midnight
 +
NH Weather Aurora.jpg|An aurora under a full moon around midnight
 +
NH Weather Cumulonimbus Clouds.jpg|Cumulonimbus clouds, which can only appear from mid summer to early fall
 +
NH Weather Cirrocumulus Clouds.jpg|Cirrocumulus clouds, which can only appear from early fall to winter
 +
NH Weather Heavy Fog.jpg|Heavy fog, which can only appear at 7 AM between the months of Oct–Mar (NH)/Apr–Sep (SH)
 +
</gallery>
  
*In the [[city]] area in ''City Folk'', the weather is often different to that in the Player's town. Snow does not settle in the city, but does on the bus that drives to and from it. If it is raining in the city, the animals there will carry umbrellas.
+
==Notes==
 +
{{Note list}}
  
* Confetti falls continuously from the sky during the [[Festivale]] in ''City Folk''. On this day, the sky tends to be very clear- any snow fall would conflict with the fall of confetti.
+
==References==
 +
{{Reflist}}
  
*From the 6<sup>th</sup> to the 8<sup>th</sup> of [[April]] in ''City Folk'' and ''Animal Crossing'', blossom from the trees floats through the sky, much like confetti does during the Festivale in ''City Folk'' (see above). The sky is clear on these days. On the 9<sup>th</sup>, [[tree]]s go green and blossom stops falling.
+
{{Navbox Gameplay elements}}
[[Category: Gameplay Elements]]
 
[[category:featured Articles]]
 

Latest revision as of 08:09, December 11, 2023

A player standing in the rain in New Horizons

Weather plays a part in the Animal Crossing series, changing daily and reflecting the seasons. Notable weather changes include winter snowstorms, late summer rainstorms and the clear skies of early summer. Weather is mentioned by villagers, influenced by the flora and fauna in the player's town, and, most importantly, reflected by the seasons and the time of year, greatly enhancing gameplay.

Weather consists of two main features: precipitation and cloud coverage. These aspects are present constantly, whilst other, more unusual features add to the variation of the game.

Precipitation[edit]

Precipitation comes in two forms in the Animal Crossing series: rain and snow. Snow falls only in the winter months, with rain occurring during the rest of the year, though more often during spring and the late summer rainy season. Precipitation can change from hour to hour, but will often last for much of the day, easing off as the day progresses.

Rain[edit]

A player in the rain in New Leaf

Rain falls throughout the year, in all four seasons. Rain, like snow, waters wilted plants without the need for a watering can. Rainy weather switches the hourly music to variants with a light ringing noise, in Animal Crossing, only one tune plays during rainy weather, no matter the hour. Villagers who are outside when rain is falling carry umbrellas and might also comment on the weather. Frog villagers, however, do not carry umbrellas since they are amphibious. After a rainy day, it is common to find Gyroids around the player's town. Villagers may also comment on the weather. In New Horizons, villagers may wear rain clothes and hat instead of holding an umbrella.

In City Folk, rain can be heard falling on the roofs of homes when inside them.

If it is raining in the city in City Folk, the town will also be affected by this rain, even if it is a clear day – plants will be automatically hydrated and Gyroids can be found underground the next day. This only works if the player returns from the city after visiting it in the rain, and will not work if they simply save the game and quit when in the city.

Thunderstorms[edit]

Occasionally, thunderstorms can occur during rainy days. On rare occasions, lightning can be seen. Thunderstorms are purely cosmetic and otherwise act identical to normal rain.

Snow[edit]

A snow-coated town in City Folk. Note the dense, gray clouds.
A player catching a snowflake in New Horizons

Snow falls from mid-to-late November until early-to-late February (or late May until late-August in the southern hemisphere in Animal Crossing: New Horizons), settling in early December, with complete coverage by the 11th of December (10th in Animal Crossing and the 11th of June in the southern hemisphere in New Horizons). Settled snow covers all grassy areas, buildings and trees. Snowballs appear around town every day in winter, and can be rolled into Snow People. Additionally, in New Leaf and New Horizons, snowflakes will fly around town and can be caught with a net. When snowing, hourly music is altered slightly to sound more like the rain variants but with sleigh bell sounds integrated into them as well. Like rain, snow hydrates wilted flowers without the need for a watering can. Villagers who are outside during winter may talk about the abundance of snow or the cold.

On the 10th of December (or the 10th of June in a Southern Hemisphere island in New Horizons), heavy snowfall can be sighted, leading to snow sticking to the ground the next day. Due to a bug in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, on certain calendar patterns where the 10th falls on a Saturday, it will not snow due to it conflicting with the Fishing Tourney.

  • Winter – Rain falls very infrequently in late winter.
  • Spring – Moderate rainfall occurs in the spring. Thunderstorms can occur, but it is rare.
  • Summer – Summer has a great contrast in rain levels; mid and late summer is completely dry, with clear skies and no rain. Early summer consists of heavy thunderstorms and rainy weather spanning days.
  • Fall – Low to moderate levels of rainfall occur in fall. Thunderstorms taper off after the end of September.

Effect on wildlife[edit]

Fishing on a rainy day is the only way to catch a Coelacanth (alternatively, a snowy day works in certain games)

Rain and snow influence the presence of insects and fish.

Fish[edit]

Main article: Fish

One fish, the rare Coelacanth, appears only when it is raining or snowing (snow does not count in Doubutsu no Mori+, Animal Crossing, Doubutsu no Mori e+, or Animal Crossing: New Horizons). This unusual behavior makes it even harder to catch.

Bugs[edit]

Main article: Bugs

Rain and snow prevents butterflies (prior to Animal Crossing: New Horizons), many varieties of beetles, the Scorpion, and the Tarantula (with the exception in New Horizons for the latter two) from appearing even when they are in-season. However, some bugs only appear when it rains, such as the Snail. Cicadas can still be found when it is raining, but they make no noise. Catch quotes for cicadas in New Leaf and New Horizons are also different when caught in the rain.

The Dung Beetle is the only bug that is dependent on snow to exist – it appears exclusively when snow is on the ground, the reason being that it can be found rolling around snowballs on the ground.

Cloud coverage[edit]

The sky as it changes throughout the day, from 6:00 AM to 4:00 AM
The six cloud stages. Please note that these clouds are from City Folk
Clouds in Wild World have a more uniform shape
Cloud coverage changing in the last 10 minutes of the hour in City Folk. This feature is not found in Wild World.

There are many different levels of cloud coverage. These levels can potentially change every hour, and range from clear to complete. In the original Animal Crossing, the layout of the game ensured that the sky was only visible on one occasion, on the train, where it was always cloudy. This means that the paragraphs about cloud coverage only apply to games following Animal Crossing. Cloud coverage changes abruptly in Wild World, but in City Folk changes gradually in the last ten minutes before the hour.

Clouds always travel from the north of the town towards the sea, somewhat contradicting the fluttering of the town flag and the floating pattern of balloons. Clouds appear white in the day, unless rain bearing, upon which they are gray. Clouds at night are a darker shade of gray. Cloud coverage gives an indication as to what the weather will be like in the coming hours. Dark, thick clouds usually signify rain, whereas light cloud usually means that the skies will be clear later on.

Clouds in Wild World consist entirely of oval-shapes, and are bright white. They can be viewed on the upper screen of the Nintendo DS. Clouds in City Folk are less regular in shape and color, and so appear more varied. They can be viewed on the horizon or by pressing the 'up' button on the Wii remote. This rolls the screen up so that the sky dominates the view.

There are six varieties of cloud coverage, which affect various, minor aspects of gameplay. For example, the brightness of a room, whether lights are on or not, and the comments of villagers. Here is a list and brief description of the six cloud densities.

  • Clear: No clouds in the sky. The sky appears bright blue, or at night, full of stars.
  • Contrail: A single or two line-shaped clouds that trails across the sky. It can occasionally be seen with other types of clouds, or by itself. This cloud is artificial, as it is only produced by aircraft.
  • Wisp: Similar to clear, but with faint, infrequent specks of white cloud trailing across the sky.
  • Light: Noticeable clouds in the sky, dispersed but still frequent.
  • Moderate: Substantial cloud cover, lowered level of brightness.
  • Dense: Packed clouds with gaps in coverage. Low level of brightness and lowered visibility.
  • Complete (1): Heavy and steel gray with only small breaks in cloud. Always bearing rain. Low visibility, horizon appears dull and foggy.
  • Complete (2): During a thunderstorm, or when snow is falling, the clouds will have even less breaks in them. Low visibility, horizon appears dull and foggy.

Weather warnings[edit]

At the start of each new major weather system, a note is left on the bulletin board to inform the player of its imminent arrival.

  • Snow Warning – Two days before snow settles on the ground, a notice appears to notify the player. The notice appears in early December.
  • New Year Weather – A bulletin containing information on the following month's snow levels, temperature and the possibility of ponds freezing over. The notice is posted in mid-January.
  • Summer Forecast – Headed as 'Weather Forecast', this notice appears on the first Wednesday of May. It reveals the summer forecast, stating when the rainy season will start, and when the temperature should start to pick up.
  • Meteor Shower – Although not a weather system, this note appears before a meteor shower labeled as a 'Weather Warning'. Meteor showers arrive at random times in the year, starting at 7 PM and lasting well into the night. These do not appear in Wild World.

In addition, weather can be forecasted, providing a short-term summary of the overall conditions of the following day. If the player turns on a television, it will, at certain times of the day, display the weather, using symbols such as a sun, cloud or raindrop. This forecast is always correct, but is limited to generalizing the next day's weather. It cannot, therefore, give hourly predictions.

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the instrument shelter, a public works project, can inform the player of the next hour's weather.

Other features[edit]

  • On nights where the sky is clear, meteor showers can occur. The shooting stars can be wished upon by pressing the 'A' button when it flashes through the sky. It is only possible to do this when holding no items. In games prior to New Horizons, this will result in a present being mailed to the player, containing a spotlight item. In New Horizons, star fragments will appear on the beach the next day.
  • Rainbows can be seen very occasionally in the sky, as they only appear when the sky has cleared suddenly after many hours of heavy rain or snowfall. The rainbow fills the sky, brightening as the hour progresses, until it peaks after thirty minutes. Within the hour, it disappears. During a rainbow, the chances of finding 100 Bells in trees is increased. They appear towards the end of the day, but not at night. In New Leaf and New Horizons it is possible to see a double rainbow. An error in the coding of weather patterns makes it impossible to see a rainbow from October 1 to December 15 in the southern hemisphere in New Horizons.
  • In both Wild World and City Folk, the sky clears when a fireworks show is due to take place. Meteors only appear on clear nights as well, and are accompanied by a twinkling noise. In New Leaf, it will be sunny the whole day when the Fireworks show is set to take place.
  • In the city area in City Folk, the weather is often different from that in the player's town. Snow does not settle in the city, but does on the bus that drives to and from it. If it is raining in the city, the animals there will carry umbrellas.
  • Confetti falls continuously from the sky during the Festivale in City Folk and New Leaf. On this day, the sky tends to be very clear, as any snowfall would conflict with the fall of confetti.
  • In early April (or early October in the southern hemisphere), trees will grow cherry blossoms, and those cherry blossoms will float through the sky, much like confetti does during Festivale (see above). The sky is clear on these days. In New Horizons, they can be caught with a net and used for DIY recipes.

Aurora[edit]

The aurora in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The aurora, also known as the northern lights,[1] is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the night sky in the Animal Crossing series beginning in Animal Crossing: City Folk.

In Animal Crossing: City Folk and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the aurora is visible on clear winter nights, and can be seen from 8 PM until 10 PM. It is at its brightest at 9 PM, shining bright shades of pink and green and moving constantly in a folding motion. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it can appear in any hour with clear conditions between 7 PM and 4 AM, as long as there are no shooting stars that night.

Residents of the player's town may comment on the aurora when it is in the sky. It can be seen in full by adjusting the camera angle while outdoors, enabling the player to get a full view of the sky.

Patterns[edit]

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons[edit]

There are currently 40 possible weather patterns in New Horizons, six of which had been added in updates.[2][3]

Key
F Fine, clear weather
S Fair, mildly cloudy weather
C Average, cloudy weather
RC Heavy, cloudy weather
R Rainy/snowy weather
HR Heavy, rainy/snowy weather
Weather patterns Weather
5AM 6AM 7AM 8AM 9AM 10AM 11AM 12PM 1PM 2PM 3PM 4PM 5PM 6PM 7PM 8PM 9PM 10PM 11PM 12AM 1AM 2AM 3AM 4AM
Fine00[nb 1] F S F S F S S F S F S S F S F F F S F F F S S F
Fine01[nb 2] S F S S S F S C F S F S S C S C S F[nb 3] S F[nb 3] F[nb 3] S F[nb 3] F
Fine02[nb 4][nb 5] S S F S F C F S F S S F S C S S S F F F F S S S
Fine03[nb 2] S S F S S F S S C S F S S S F[nb 3] C F[nb 3] F[nb 3] S F[nb 3] S F[nb 3] F[nb 3] F
Fine04[nb 4] S S S S C S S F S C S F S F S S F S F F F F S S
Fine05[nb 2] S S S F S S F S S C S S F S C S S F[nb 3] S C S S F[nb 3] S
Fine06[nb 4][nb 6] S C S S C F S F S S F S C C S S S F F F S F S S
Fine07[nb 7][nb 8][nb 9] F S F S F S S F S F S S F S F S S S C F S F S C
Fine08[nb 10] F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F
Fine09[nb 10] F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F
Cloud00 C RC C C C S S C C C S S C C C RC C C S S S S C C
Cloud01 C C C S C RC C C S C C C RC RC C C S S S S C RC C C
Cloud02 C C RC R R R C C RC R R R C C RC C RC C C C C C RC C
Rain00 R R RC C S RC R R R R R R C C RC R R R C S C RC R R
Rain01 R R R R C RC R R C C RC HR R R R R S S C RC R R R R
Rain02 R R R RC R S RC R R R C R R R RC HR R R R RC C R R R
Rain03 R RC R R HR HR R R HR HR HR HR R R R R R C RC R R R R R
Rain04 R R HR HR HR HR R HR HR HR R R HR HR HR HR HR HR R R R HR HR R
Rain05 HR HR R R HR HR HR HR R HR HR HR HR HR HR R R C S RC R R HR R
Rain06[nb 8] HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR
Rain07[nb 7][nb 8][nb 11] R HR C C R HR HR R HR RC R HR R R HR RC HR R RC C R HR R RC
FineCloud00 R C C C C C S S F S S F S S S C C C C RC C RC RC C
FineCloud01 C S S S F S S F S S C RC R R C C RC C C C RC C C C
FineCloud02 C F S F S S C C S C C C C C RC C RC RC R R R C C C
CloudFine00[nb 12] RC R R C R S[nb 13] C S C C S S F S S S S F F F S S S S
CloudFine01[nb 12] S R C C C C RC R S[nb 13] S C S S F S F F S F S S S S S
CloudFine02[nb 12] F C RC R C RC R S[nb 13] S S S F S F S F F S F S S S S S
FineRain00[nb 12] S S F S F S F S R S[nb 13] S S S S F S F S S F F S S S
FineRain01[nb 12] S F S S F S S R C R S[nb 13] S S F S S S S S F S F S S
FineRain02 F F S F S F S F S S HR C S F S S F S F S F F S S
FineRain03[nb 12] S S S F S F F S S HR R S[nb 13] S S F S S F S F F S F S
CloudRain00 R C C S C C RC R R R HR HR R R R R R R R R R R R R
CloudRain01 C S S C C R R R C C RC R R R R R C R R R R R R C
CloudRain02 R C C C S S C C RC R R R R R R R R R RC HR HR R HR R
RainCloud00 C R R C C RC R R C RC C S S C C C C C C C RC C C C
RainCloud01 RC R R R R R R R R R C RC C C C C C S S C C C C C
RainCloud02 RC HR HR R R R C C R C C C C C RC C RC C C S S C C RC
Commun00[nb 14] S F S S S F S C F S F S S C S C S F S F F S F F
EventDay00[nb 15] S F S S S F S S F S F S S F S F S F S F F S F F
EventDay01[nb 16][nb 17] C S F S F S S F S S C S C RC RC C RC RC C RC RC RC RC C
EventDay02[nb 18][nb 19] R R R R R R R R R R R R HR HR R HR HR HR R HR HR HR R HR
EventDay03[nb 20][nb 19] R HR R HR R HR R RC HR R HR C S C F S F S C F S C S C

Appearances[edit]

Below are tables showing the chance of certain types of weather throughout the year in each game.

In Animal Crossing[edit]

Dates Rain Thunderstorm Snow Heavy snow
Jan 1 – 7 0% 0% 0% 0%
Jan 8 – Feb 24 0% 0% 20% 10%
Feb 25 – Mar 31 20% 0% 0% 0%
Apr 1 – 8 0% 0% 0% 0%
Apr 9 – 19 20% 0% 0% 0%
Apr 20 0% 0% 0% 0%
Apr 21 – Jun 25 20% 10% 0% 0%
Jun 26 – Jul 15 30% 20% 0% 0%
Jul 16 – Aug 31 0% 10% 0% 0%
Sep 1 – 30 0% 40% 0% 0%
Oct 1 – 30 20% 0% 0% 0%
Nov 1 – 15 10% 0% 10% 0%
Nov 16 – Dec 9 0% 0% 30% 0%
Dec 10 0% 0% 0% 100%
Dec 11 – 24 0% 0% 40% 20%
Dec 25 – 30 0% 0% 60% 40%
Dec 31 0% 0% 0% 0%

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons[edit]

Northern hemisphere[edit]

Dates Rain Heavy rain Snow Heavy snow
Jan 1 – 4 0% 0% 0% 0%
Jan 5 – Feb 23 0% 0% 22% 21%
Feb 24 0% 0% 30% 0%
Feb 25 – Mar 31 24% 12% 0% 0%
Apr 1 – 10 0% 0% 0% 0%
Apr 11 – Jun 15 25% 14% 0% 0%
Jun 16 – Jul 5 30% 38% 0% 0%
Jul 6 – Jul 31 25% 11% 0% 0%
Aug 1 – 31 13% 20% 0% 0%
Sep 1 – 15 21% 28% 0% 0%
Sep 16 – 30 23% 13% 0% 0%
Oct 1 – Nov 15 26% 7% 0% 0%
Nov 16 – Nov 25 0% 0% 0% 0%
Nov 26 – Dec 9 0% 0% 24% 12%
Dec 10 0% 0% 0% 100%
Dec 11 – 23 0% 0% 28% 28%
Dec 24 – 30 0% 0% 30% 70%
Dec 31 0% 0% 0% 0%

Southern hemisphere[edit]

Dates Rain Heavy rain Snow Heavy snow
Jan 1 – 4 0% 0% 0% 0%
Jan 5 – 31 25% 11% 0% 0%
Feb 1 – 28/29 18% 15% 0% 0%
Mar 1 – 15 21% 24% 0% 0%
Mar 16 – 31 23% 13% 0% 0%
Apr 1 – May 15 26% 8% 0% 0%
May 16 – 24 12% 0% 0% 0%
May 25 30% 0% 0% 0%
May 26 – Jun 9 0% 0% 24% 12%
Jun 10 0% 0% 0% 100%
Jun 11 – 30 0% 0% 28% 28%
Jul 1 – Aug 23 0% 0% 22% 21%
Aug 24 0% 0% 30% 0%
Aug 25 – Sep 30 24% 12% 0% 0%
Oct 1 – 10 0% 0% 0% 0%
Oct 11 – Dec 15 15% 12% 0% 0%
Dec 15 – 30 25% 14% 0% 0%
Dec 31 0% 0% 0% 0%

Gallery[edit]

Redd NH Character Icon.png
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Animal Crossing: Wild World[edit]

Animal Crossing: City Folk[edit]

Animal Crossing: New Leaf[edit]

Animal Crossing: New Horizons[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. Heavy meteor shower pattern from 7PM – 4AM
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Aurora pattern (only in winter)
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Aurora
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Light meteor shower pattern from 7PM – 4AM
  5. Prior to version 1.3.0, 6PM was Sunny and 7PM was Cloudy
  6. Prior to version 1.3.0, 5PM was Sunny and 7PM was Cloudy
  7. 7.0 7.1 Used on the archipelago island.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Added in version 1.11.0
  9. Prior to version 2.0, 8PM, 10PM, 11PM and 4AM were Clear
  10. 10.0 10.1 Used on boat tours
  11. Prior to version 2.0, 5AM, 9AM, and 11PM were Rain Clouds, 6AM and 10PM were Cloudy, 1PM, 9PM, 12AM, 2AM, and 4AM were Rain, and 2PM, 3PM, and 8PM were Heavy Rain
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Rainbow pattern (outside of winter)
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Rainbow
  14. Used on Harv's Island
  15. Used on event days and on a resident's first day
  16. Used on Halloween
  17. Added in version 1.5.0
  18. Used on Toy Day if on the northern hemisphere
  19. 19.0 19.1 Added in version 1.6.0
  20. Used the next day after Toy Day if on the northern hemisphere

References[edit]