Pokemon Sword Shield Weather Guide - How To Change & Symbols

Find out how to change the Weather in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Including weather icons, symbol chart, list of date with fixed weather, effect on wild Pokemon, and more!!!

Table of Contents

  • How to Change Weather
  • Weather Symbol & Types
  • Weather Type & Effects
  • Favored Weather Chart By Type
Essential Tips For Beginner Trainers

How to Change Weather

Weather Cannot be Changed

The weather conditions present in the game, whether in the Wild Area or the other routes/cities, cannot be changed by a player. For the case of the Wild Area, it will change once a day!

Certain Dates have Fixed Weather

It has also been discovered by the YouTube Content Creator "Austin John Plays", that certain days in the calendar have been programmed to always have a certain weather for all areas on that specific date. By setting your Nintendo Switch's system calendar to that date, you can change the weather to any of your liking.

Fixed Weather Date Chart

WeatherDate
SunnyMay 1st, 2020
OvercastMarch 1st, 2020
RainyOctober 1st, 2020
ThunderNovember 1st, 2020
SnowDecember 1st, 2020
HailFebruary 1st, 2020
Intense SunJuly 1st, 2020
SandstormApril 1st, 2020
FogJune 1st, 2020

Weather Icons & Types

All Weather Types

Intense SunIntense SunSunnySunnyOvercastOvercast
RainyRainyThunderThunderSnowSnow
HailHailSandstormSandstormFogFog
Tap Here For Today's Weather

Today's Wild Area Weather (10/15)

Dappled GroveDroughtRolling FieldSunny
South Lake MilochThunderstormNorth Lake MilochRainy
Giant's SeatCloudyEast Lake AxewellDrought
West Lake AxewellDroughtAxew’s EyeDrought
Watchtower RuinsDroughtMotostoke RiverbankFog
Bridge FieldDroughtStony Wilderness RiverbankCloudy
Giant's MirrorRainyHammerlocke HillsFog
Dusty BowlDroughtGiant's CapRainy
Lake of OutrageThunderstorm

Weather Changes Every Day

Weather Changes Every Day

The weather at Wild Areas change every day at 0:00 sharp. You'll need to wait a whole day to pass if you're targeting certain weather types.

Check out our Wild Area Guide here!

Check Weather By Pressing the + Button

Weather Map

Pressing the + button while on the map will show you the weather in each zone! Get accustomed to checking this often, as it changes in real time!

Same Weather For Every Device & Versions

The weather is the same for every device, among Sword and Shield, and even between different versions. You won't get conflicting weather when you play with friends!

Weather Type & Effects

Random Effects That Influence Gameplay

Random Effects That Influence Gameplay

Weather affects Pokemon with regards to how they move & how they interact with the environment. Weather changes can be manipulated with specific Pokemon moves, or changes automatically in wild area.

Certain Weather Locked Behind Game Progression

Hail, Thunder and Fogs are unique weather which are only unlocked as you progress through the game. These weather will not appear during early game, until you progress to acquire a certain number of Gym Badges or become the Champion.

Each Pokemon Type Has Preferred Weather

Each Pokemon type has its own favored or preferred weather type which will greatly benefit them if they are in battle under that weather type. This is based mainly on the Pokemon's natural preference; water Pokemon love the rain, Ice Pokemon like Snow, etc!

See List of All Pokemon here!

Favored Types Appear More Often

Favored Types Appear More Often

In the Wild Area, if a certain weather is active, then the Pokemon that favor it will appear more often. Use this to target certain types of Pokemon to catch or fight.

Outside Weather May Not Affect Raids

Raids and the Pokemon in them are sometimes unaffected by outside weather. Some Pokemons may appear in raids even if the weather is different from their stated conditions.

Check Out Our Max Raid Battles Guide Here!

Increased Damage Under Favored Weather

Increased Damage Under Favored Weather

Pokemon fighting in their favored weather will deal more damage in battle. Some Pokemon have the skills to change the weather in battle, but most will have to rely on the random weather in the Wild Area to reap these benefits.

What Are Base Stats explained here

Happier When In Pokemon Camp

If you set up a Pokemon camp & the preferred weather occurs, the Pokemon will be happier and more active.

Pokemon Camp - Merits & How To Use

Favored Weather Chart By Pokemon Type

Pokemon TypeFavored Weather
fireSunny
waterRain, Thunder
GrassClear
bugRain
FlyingClear
DragonRain, Thunder
NormalClear
darkFog
electricRain, Thunder
PsychicFog
SteelSnow, Hail
IceSnow, Hail
GroundSunny, Sandstorm
FairyOvercast
GhostFog, 8pm~6am In-game
RockSunny, Sandstorm
PoisonOvercast
Fighting IconOvercast

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