Config Settings XML Format

cfgweather.xml

Configures weather patterns, rain, fog, wind, and lighting for the server environment. Impacts survival difficulty and immersion.

Overview

The cfgweather.xml file controls the weather simulation on your DayZ server. It defines parameters for rain, fog, overcast skies, wind, and temperature ranges that cycle dynamically during gameplay.

This file is located in the mission folder and is loaded at server startup. Weather transitions happen gradually based on the configured duration and limits. The weather system works alongside cfgenvironment.xml for the complete atmospheric experience.

XML Structure

The file defines weather phenomena with their limits and transition durations.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<weather>
    <overcast>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>1.0</max>
        <durationMin>600</durationMin>
        <durationMax>900</durationMax>
    </overcast>
    <rain>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>1.0</max>
        <durationMin>60</durationMin>
        <durationMax>120</durationMax>
        <thresholdMin>0.6</thresholdMin>
        <thresholdMax>1.0</thresholdMax>
    </rain>
    <fog>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.5</max>
        <durationMin>60</durationMin>
        <durationMax>180</durationMax>
    </fog>
    <windForce>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.8</max>
        <durationMin>30</durationMin>
        <durationMax>120</durationMax>
    </windForce>
    <windDirection>0.0</windDirection>
</weather>

Weather Parameters

Parameter	Range	Description
overcast	0.0 – 1.0	Cloud coverage level. 0 = clear sky, 1 = fully overcast. Affects lighting and rain probability.
rain	0.0 – 1.0	Rain intensity. Only activates when overcast exceeds the threshold values. Affects player wetness and temperature.
fog	0.0 – 1.0	Fog density. Higher values reduce visibility significantly. Impacts gameplay and PvP encounters.
windForce	0.0 – 1.0	Wind strength. Affects tree sway, particle effects, and ambient sound intensity.
windDirection	0.0 – 360.0	Wind direction in degrees. 0 = North, 90 = East, 180 = South, 270 = West.

Rain Thresholds

Rain has additional thresholdMin and thresholdMax values that control the overcast level required before rain can start. Rain will only occur when the current overcast value falls between these thresholds.

• thresholdMin: 0.6 — Overcast must be at least 60% for rain to begin.
• thresholdMax: 1.0 — Rain is possible up to 100% overcast.
• Lowering thresholdMin makes rain more frequent; raising it makes rain rarer.

Duration Settings

Each weather parameter has durationMin and durationMax values (in seconds) that control how long a weather state persists before transitioning. The server randomly selects a duration within this range.

Parameter	durationMin	durationMax	Effect
overcast	600s (10 min)	900s (15 min)	Time between cloud coverage changes.
rain	60s (1 min)	120s (2 min)	How long a rain event lasts.
fog	60s (1 min)	180s (3 min)	Duration of fog events.
windForce	30s	120s (2 min)	Time between wind strength changes.

Example Configurations

Clear & Sunny

Minimal cloud cover, no rain, light breeze. Good for PvP-focused servers.

<weather>
    <overcast>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.3</max>
        <durationMin>900</durationMin>
        <durationMax>1800</durationMax>
    </overcast>
    <rain>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.0</max>
        <durationMin>60</durationMin>
        <durationMax>120</durationMax>
        <thresholdMin>0.9</thresholdMin>
        <thresholdMax>1.0</thresholdMax>
    </rain>
    <fog>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.05</max>
        <durationMin>30</durationMin>
        <durationMax>60</durationMax>
    </fog>
    <windForce>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.3</max>
        <durationMin>60</durationMin>
        <durationMax>180</durationMax>
    </windForce>
    <windDirection>0.0</windDirection>
</weather>

Heavy Storm

Constant overcast, frequent heavy rain, dense fog, and strong winds. Creates a harsh survival atmosphere.

<weather>
    <overcast>
        <min>0.7</min>
        <max>1.0</max>
        <durationMin>300</durationMin>
        <durationMax>600</durationMax>
    </overcast>
    <rain>
        <min>0.5</min>
        <max>1.0</max>
        <durationMin>120</durationMin>
        <durationMax>300</durationMax>
        <thresholdMin>0.5</thresholdMin>
        <thresholdMax>1.0</thresholdMax>
    </rain>
    <fog>
        <min>0.3</min>
        <max>0.8</max>
        <durationMin>120</durationMin>
        <durationMax>300</durationMax>
    </fog>
    <windForce>
        <min>0.5</min>
        <max>1.0</max>
        <durationMin>60</durationMin>
        <durationMax>180</durationMax>
    </windForce>
    <windDirection>225.0</windDirection>
</weather>

Foggy & Eerie

Low overcast with persistent dense fog and minimal rain. Creates a horror-survival atmosphere with reduced visibility.

<weather>
    <overcast>
        <min>0.3</min>
        <max>0.6</max>
        <durationMin>600</durationMin>
        <durationMax>1200</durationMax>
    </overcast>
    <rain>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.2</max>
        <durationMin>30</durationMin>
        <durationMax>60</durationMax>
        <thresholdMin>0.8</thresholdMin>
        <thresholdMax>1.0</thresholdMax>
    </rain>
    <fog>
        <min>0.5</min>
        <max>1.0</max>
        <durationMin>300</durationMin>
        <durationMax>600</durationMax>
    </fog>
    <windForce>
        <min>0.0</min>
        <max>0.2</max>
        <durationMin>60</durationMin>
        <durationMax>120</durationMax>
    </windForce>
    <windDirection>180.0</windDirection>
</weather>