DayZ Weather System Configuration

Overview

The DayZ weather system is controlled by weather.xml in your server's mission folder. Overcast is the master controller — fog, rain, and storms all depend on it.

Key terms

• Actual — Starting value when the server boots
• Time — Time (seconds) to transition to the next state
• Duration — How long the current value lasts
• Limits — Allowed range (0.0–1.0)
• Changelimits — How much the value can shift each cycle

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Overcast (Cloud System)

Controls overall sky conditions. Affects rain + storms.

<overcast>
    <current actual="0.45" time="120" duration="240" />
    <limits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
    <timelimits min="900" max="1800" />
    <changelimits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
</overcast>

Fog (Visibility System)

Same mechanics as overcast. Controls how thick fog gets.

<fog>
    <current actual="0.1" time="120" duration="240" />
    <limits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
    <timelimits min="900" max="1800" />
    <changelimits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
</fog>

Rain (Overcast Dependent)

Rain only happens when overcast is high enough. The thresholds block sets the required overcast range and how long rain continues after dropping below the threshold.

• min/max — Required overcast range
• end — How long rain continues after dropping below threshold

<rain>
    <current actual="0.0" time="120" duration="240" />
    <limits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
    <timelimits min="300" max="600" />
    <changelimits min="0.0" max="1.0" />
    <thresholds min="0.5" max="1.0" end="120" />
</rain>

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Wind

• maxspeed — Max wind speed (m/s)
• min/max — Strength range (0.0–1.0)
• frequency — How often wind changes (seconds)

<wind>
    <maxspeed>20</maxspeed>
    <params min="0.0" max="1.0" frequency="30" />
</wind>

Higher values = stronger, more dynamic wind.

Storm (Lightning System)

Only triggers when overcast is high. Controls lightning strength + frequency.

• density — Lightning intensity (0.0–1.0)
• threshold — Minimum overcast required
• timeout — Time between strikes (seconds)

<storm density="1.0" threshold="0.7" timeout="25"/>

Final Notes

• Overcast = master controller for weather
• Fog uses the same mechanics as overcast
• Rain requires correct overcast thresholds
• Storms need high overcast to activate

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No-Rain Weather Config (Ready to Use)

Disables rain + storms, keeps light clouds, minimal fog, and light wind. Perfect for PvE / visibility-focused servers.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<weather reset="1" enable="1">
    <overcast>
        <current actual="0.2" time="120" duration="240" />
        <limits min="0.2" max="0.3" />
        <timelimits min="900" max="1800" />
        <changelimits min="0.0" max="0.1" />
    </overcast>
    <fog>
        <current actual="0.0" time="120" duration="240" />
        <limits min="0" max="0.1" />
        <timelimits min="900" max="1800" />
        <changelimits min="0" max="0.1" />
    </fog>
    <rain>
        <current actual="0.0" time="120" duration="240" />
        <limit min="0.0" max="0.1" />
        <timelimits min="900" max="1800" />
        <changelimits min="0.0" max="0.1" />
        <thresholds min="0" max="0.1" end="1" />
    </rain>
    <wind>
        <maxspeed>10</maxspeed>
        <params min="0" max="0.5" frequency="30" />
    </wind>
    <storm density="0.5" threshold="0.7" timeout="25"/>
</weather>

What this does

• Rain = completely disabled
• Storms = disabled (no lightning)
• Overcast = light clouds only
• Fog = minimal
• Wind = light

Restart your server after applying.

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Need help dialing in your weather? Open a ticket — we've got you.