ACNH - Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)

Weather and Wind | Balloon Directions | Special Weather

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) - Weather and Wind Guide | Balloon Directions and Special Weather

From clear, sunny skies to rain and snow, you can find all types of weather in Animal Crossing New Horizons (ACNH)! Learn all about the weather and rare weather phenomena like rainbows, auroras, meteor showers, and more!

Wind & Weather Links (Click to jump!)
Basic Weather Weather Phenomena Types of Clouds Wind Patterns

List of All Basic Weather

Click to jump to a section!
Bright & Clear Rain
Sunny Heavy Rain
ACNH - Cloudy WeatherCloudy Snow
Rain Clouds Heavy Snow

Bright & Clear

Bright & Clear weather has blue skies with no clouds.

In this weather, you can catch bugs and fish around the island and find some villagers outside their homes.

Sunny

Sunny weather has blue skies but with just a few light clouds.

In this weather, you can still catch bugs and fish around the island and find some villagers outside their homes.

Cloudy

Cloudy weather has blue skies but with larger opaque clouds.

In this weather, you can still catch bugs and fish around the island and find some villagers outside their homes.

Rain Clouds

Rain Clouds can also appear and cover the skies with dark gray clouds.

Despite the gloomy weather, villagers can still be seen outside doing their own activities. You may also find less bugs around the island!

Rain

Rain is only a light drizzle of rain with dark and gloomy clouds. This weather appears a few hours after Rain Clouds and cannot appeer during Winter season.

Once rain falls, some villagers will change into their rain clothes and umbrellas. Although, some villager species will stay in their normal outfits!

You can also expect critters that only appear in rain like the Snail and Coelacanth!

Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain is a heavy downpour of rain with dark and gloomy clouds. This weather appears a few hours after Rain Clouds and cannot appeer during Winter season.

Once rain falls, some villagers will change into their rain clothes and umbrellas. Although, some villager species will stay in their normal outfits!

Likewise, you can also expect critters that only appear in rain like the Snail and Coelacanth!

Snow

Snowy weather can be described as a light spinkling of snow. This weather only happens during Winter season. Despite the cold weather, villagers can still go ouside in their Winter gear.

However, bugs and fish are less likely to show out because only a handful are available during the season.

Heavy Snow

Heavy Snow can be described as a heavy snowfall. This weather only happens during Winter season. Despite the cold weather, villagers can still go ouside in their Winter gear.

However, bugs and fish are less likely to show out because only a handful are available during the season.

List of Weather Phenomena

Under the right conditions, rare weather phenomena can occur. Be on the look out for these unique events!

Special Weather Types (Click to Jump!)
Rainbow Aurora Thunder
Fog Meteor Shower

How to Find Rainbows

ACNH - Double Rainbow
Weather • must change from Rain/Heavy Rain to Bright & Clear/Sunny
Dates & Times North Hemisphere: Feb 25–Nov 25
South Hemisphere: Aug 25–May 25
Time: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM

After some rain, tilt your left analog stick updwards to check for Rainbows. You might even see a Double Rainbow!

How to Find Auroras

ACNH - Aurora Borealis
Weather • must be Bright & Clear
Dates & Times North Hemisphere: Dec 11–Feb 24
South Hemisphere: Jun 11–Aug 24
Time: 6:00 PM–4:00 AM

See the Northern Lights from your own island! Although the skies won't affect your gameplay, they're still a spectacular sight to see during the wintertime.

How and When to See Aurora Borealis

How to Find Thunder and Lightning

Weather • must be Heavy Rain
Dates & Times Dates: All Year
Times: All Year

Don't be scared! Thunder and Lightning will not harm the player, so enjoy the free light show!

The weather is also perfect for catching the rare Coelacanth, so head for the the beach an' reel 'em in!

How to Get Fog

Weather • previous day's weather must be Rain/Heavy Rain
• current weather must be Sunny with weak winds
Dates & Times Heavy Fog
North: Sep 21–Feb 24
South: Mar 21–Aug 24
Time: 5:00 AM–9:00 AM
River & Sea Fog
North: Sep 21–Mar 31
South: Mar 21–Sep 30
Time: 5:00 AM–9:00 AM

A Fog can sometimes appear, after a day of bad weather (Rain/Heavy Rain).

A Heavy Fog blankets the entire island with fog, while a River & Sea Fog leaves a mist on rivers and beaches.

How to Find a Meteor Shower

ACNH - Player watching a meteor shower
Weather • must be Bright & Clear
Dates & Times Dates: All Year
Time: 7:00 PM–4:00 AM

On the day of a meteor shower, Isabelle can make an announcement and villagers can talk to you about it. However, these won't always happen so keep your eyes to the skies!

Meteor Shower Guide

List of All Types of Clouds

Aside from ordinary clouds, special cloud types can also be seen seasonally, under certain conditions. Make sure to take a photo when you see these special clouds!

Cloud Types (Click to Jump!)
Cumulonimbus Clouds Cirrus Clouds Cirrocumulus Clouds
Thin Clouds Billow Clouds Plane Trails

Cumulonimbus Clouds

ACNH - Cumulonimbus Clouds.png

Cumulonimbus Cloud Conditions
Summer Only
North: Jul 21 - Sep 15
South: Jan 21 - Mar 15
Cumulonimbus clouds can appear during clear or partly cloudy weather on the day before bad weather.

Cirrus Clouds

ACNH - Cirrus : Cirrocumulus Clouds

Cirrus Cloud Conditions
Autumn Only
North: Sep 16 - Nov 30
South: Mar 16 - May 31
Cirrus clouds can appear during clear or partly cloudy hours on a day that otherwise has bad weather.

Cirrocumulus Clouds

Cirrocumulus Cloud Conditions
Autumn Only
North: Sep 16 - Nov 30
South: Mar 16 - May 31
Cirrocumulus clouds can appear during clear or partly cloudy hours on a day that otherwise has bad weather.

Thin Clouds

Thin Cloud Conditions
Spring
North: Mar 1 - May 31
South: Sep 1 - Nov 30
Thin clouds can appear during clear or partly cloudy weather hours.

Billow Clouds

ACNH - Billow Clouds.png

Billow Cloud Conditions
Winter
North: Dec 1 - Feb 28
South: Jun 1 - Aug 31
Billow clouds can appear during clear or partly cloudy weather on the day before bad weather.

Plane Trails

ACNH - Plane Trail.png

Plane Trail Conditions
All Year Plane trails can be seen in the sky for 15 minutes after a DAL plane lands or departs the island. Trails are less visible during bad weather.

Plane-related Guides:

Wind Direction Patterns

How to Tell Wind Direction

Wind Direction determines which side of the island balloons will spawn from.

This changes from day to night and vice-versa, so keep an eye on the the clock if you're hunting for Recipes or Items!

Pattern 1

Pattern 1
Northwestern Wind
Day
Northeastern Wind
Night

Pattern 2

Pattern 2
Northeastern Wind
Day
Northwestern Wind
Night

How to Get Presents from Balloons

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Weather Reports in ACNH?

ACNH - Weather Report.jpg
Yes!

You check any TV furniture item at these times:

6:45 AM 7:45 AM 11:45 AM 6:45 PM 10:45 PM

Though the screen may be small, you can get an idea of what weather to expect in the next few hours!

List of Electronics (TVs)

When do meteor showers occur?

ACNH - Shooting Stars - Wishing on a Star

Meteor showers are random events and set schedule. However, they will always happen from 7 PM to 4 AM.

Here are a few things that may tell you that a Meteor Shower will happen on your island:

  • Isabelle will announce it during her morning broadcast.
  • Villagers will tell you about it.

Meteor Shower Guide

Can I Make Snowboys If It's Not Snowing?

ACNH - Putting two snowballs together
Yes!

You only need snow on the ground to make Snowboys. Snow will appear midway through the Winter season, so you won't need to wait for snow to fall down!

Snowboy Guide

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