Weather Effects

Sunshine | Harsh Sunshine | Rain | Heavy Rain | Hail | Snow | Sandstorm | Strong Winds
Fog | Shadow Sky

Weather effects have been in the games since Gold & Silver. They all have numerous effects for multiple Pokémon, attacks and ability. There are Four kinds of true weather in the game and 2 extra ones that can also be classes as such. Some Pokémon can cause the weather with their abilities and others, with the abilities of Air Lock or Cloud Nine can have their abilities dispell the weather. In addition to this, the ability of Overcoat will prevent the Pokémon from receiving damage from the weather such as Hail and Sandstorm. In battle from Black & White onwards, you'll have the ability of seeing what the current weather is at any point during the battle

Each Weather Effect once called upon using their respective attacks lasts for 5 turns. However, these can be increased through having the user of the attack hold specific items. As of X & Y, they also prolong the weather effects from abilities. There is also a hold item that makes you immune to the weather. The items as such are below:

Picture Name Effect
Damp RockAn item to be held by a Pokémon. It extends the duration of the move Rain Dance when used by the holder.
Heat RockAn item to be held by a Pokémon. It extends the duration of the move Sunny Day when used by the holder.
Icy RockAn item to be held by a Pokémon. It extends the duration of the move Hail when used by the holder.
Smooth RockAn item to be held by a Pokémon. It extends the duration of the move Sandstorm when used by the holder.
Utility UmbrellaAn item to be held by a Pokémon. This sturdy umbrella protects the holder from the effects of weather.

The weather types and the effects are as follows:

Sunshine

Sunny Day is the more common weather effect, primarily used by Fire and/or Grass types

Activation Means:
Using Move Sunny Day
Using Max Move Max Flare
Using a Pokémon that has the Drought Ability or Orichalcum Pulse
Several routes in Ruby & Emerald are afflicted with it. Routes 124 to 130 & Sootopolis City are affected after Groudon has been awakened. Routes 114, 115, 116 & 118 are affected when Terra Cave has been spotted in that location in Emerald
Haina Desert in Sun & Moon often has directly sunlight
Galar Route 6 and the Wild Area areas of Axew's Eye, Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Dusty Bowl, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, North Lake Miloch, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins & West Lake Axewell will sometimes have the weather
Sunshine
Effects:
Fire-type move's Base Power is increased by 50%
Water-type move's Base Power is decreased by 50%
Solar Beam does not require charging
Solar Blade does not require charging
Hydro Steam's power is increased by 50% and ignores the reduction of Water-type moves
Thunder's accuracy is reduced to 50%
Hurricane's accuracy is reduced to 50%
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 66% of user's HP
Growth raises Attack by an extra stage
Pokémon with the Chlorophyll Ability have their Speed raised
Pokémon with the Dry Skin Ability received double damage from Fire attacks and loses HP each turn
Cherrim's Flower Gift Ability increases it's Attack & Special Attack and changes it's form
Pokémon with the Leaf Guard Ability are protected from status afflictions
Pokémon with the Solar Power Ability have their Special Attack raised but HP lowered
Pokémon with the Orichalcum Pulse Ability have their Attack stat boosted.
Pokémon with the Protosynthesis Ability have their highest stat boosted.
Castform transforms into a Fire type Pokémon
The attack Weather Ball's Power doubles and becomes Fire-type
Weather Ball
Harsh Sunshine

Harsh Sunshine is a special form of weather that is only activated when Primal Groudon is sent into battle. It lasts for as long as the Pokémon is in battle, not for five turns.

Activation Means:
Using a Pokémon that has the Desolate Land Ability.

Effects:
Fire-type move's Base Power is increased by 50%
Water-type move's do not work
Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Hail & Sandstorm will fail.
Drought, Drizzle, Snow Warning & Sand Stream will not activate.
Solar Beam does not require charging
Thunder's accuracy is reduced to 50%
Hurricane's accuracy is reduced to 50%
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 66% of user's HP
Growth raises Attack by an extra stage
Pokémon with the Chlorophyll Ability have their Speed raised
Pokémon with the Dry Skin Ability received double damage from Fire attacks and loses HP each turn
Cherrim's Flower Gift Ability increases it's Attack & Special Attack and changes it's form
Pokémon with the Leaf Guard Ability are protected from status afflictions
Pokémon with the Solar Power Ability have their Special Attack raised but HP lowered
Castform transforms into a Fire type Pokémon
The attack Weather Ball's Power doubles and becomes Fire-type
Harsh Sunshine


Rain

Rain Dance is the other more common weather effect, primarily used by Water and/or Electric types

Activation Means:
Using Move Rain Dance
Using Max Move Max Geyser
Using a Pokémon that has the Drizzle Ability. Note, as of X & Y, this will only last 5 turns.
Several routes in Sapphire & Emerald are afflicted with it. Routes 124 to 130 & Sootopolis City are affected after Kyogre has been awakened. Routes 105, 125, 127 & 129 are affected when Marine Cave has been spotted in that location in Emerald
In RSEORAS, Routes 119, 120 & 123 are afflicted by rain.
In DP, Routes 213, 214 & 215 are afflicted by rain
In BW, the Routes with Tornadus & Thundurus in will be rainy. Random routes will also have rain at varying times
In XY, Routes 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, Ambrette Town, Couriway Town, Cyllage City, Geosenge Town, Kiloude City, Laverre City, PokéBall Factory & Shalour City will have rain at random times
Route 17, Exeggutor Island, Lush Jungle, Malie Garden in Sun & Moon often have rain
The Wild Area areas of Axew's Eye, Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Dusty Bowl, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, North Lake Miloch, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins & West Lake Axewell will sometimes have the weather
Rain Dance
Effects:
Water-type move's Base Power is increased by 50%
Fire-type move's Base Power is decreased by 50%
Solar Beam requires two turns of charge
Thunder's accuracy is increased to 100%, and in Diamond & Pearl is able to break through Protect & Detect 25% of the time
Hurricane's accuracy is increased to 100%, and in Diamond & Pearl is able to break through Protect & Detect 25% of the time
Bleakwind Storm's accuracy is increased to 100%
Wildbolt Storm's accuracy is increased to 100%
Sandsear Storm's accuracy is increased to 100%
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 25% of user's HP
Pokémon with the Dry Skin Ability recovers HP every turn and 1/4 its HP when hit by a Water Attack
Pokémon with the Hydration Ability are cured from status afflictions whenever it rains
Pokémon with the Rain Dish Ability have 1/16th of their max HP recovered each turn
Pokémon with the Swift Swim Ability have their Speed raised
Castform transforms into a Water type Pokémon
The attack Weather Ball's Power doubles and becomes Water-type
If the weather is natural rain, then Sliggoo can evolve into Goodra after Level 50.
Weather Ball
Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain is a special form of weather that is only activated when Primal Kyogre is sent into battle. It lasts for as long as the Pokémon is in battle, not for five turns. Desolate Land, Delta Stream and Cloud Nine nullify it

Activation Means:
Using a Pokémon that has the Primordial Sea Ability.

Effects:
Water-type move's Base Power is increased by 50%
Fire-type move's do not work
Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Hail & Sandstorm will fail.
Drought, Drizzle, Snow Warning & Sand Stream will not activate.
Solar Beam requires two turns of charge
Thunder's accuracy is increased to 100%, and in Diamond & Pearl is able to break through Protect & Detect 25% of the time
Hurricane's accuracy is increased to 100%, and in Diamond & Pearl is able to break through Protect & Detect 25% of the time
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 25% of user's HP
Pokémon with the Dry Skin Ability recovers HP every turn and 1/4 its HP when hit by a Water Attack
Pokémon with the Hydration Ability are cured from status afflictions whenever it rains
Pokémon with the Rain Dish Ability have 1/16th of their max HP recovered each turn
Pokémon with the Swift Swim Ability have their Speed raised
Castform transforms into a Water type Pokémon
The attack Weather Ball's Power doubles and becomes Water-type
Heavy Rain


Hail

Hail is one of the seldom seen weather effects

Activation Means:
Using Move Hail
Using Max Move Max Hailstorm
Using a Pokémon that has the Snow Warning. Note, as of X & Y, this will only last 5 turns.
In DP, Routes 216, 217 are constantly afflicted by hail
In BW, Routes 6, 7, 8, Moor of Icirrus, Icirrus City & Twist Mountain are afflicted by hail during Winter
In XY, Route 18 is affected by Hail
Tapu Village & Mount Lanakila in Sun & Moon are often afflicted by Hail
Galar Route 9, Galar Route 10 and the Wild Area areas of Axew's Eye, Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Dusty Bowl, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, North Lake Miloch, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins & West Lake Axewell will sometimes have the weather
Hail
Effects:
All non-Ice type Pokémon are damaged each turn
Bizzard's accuracy is increased to 100%, and in Diamond & Pearl is able to break through Protect & Detect 25% of the time
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 25% of user's HP
Pokémon with the Ice Body Ability have 1/16th of their max HP recovered each turn
Pokémon with the Snow Cloak Ability have their evasion boosted by 20%. Outside battle in 216 & 217, if head of the party, the wild encounter rate is decreased by 50%
Pokémon with the Slush Rush Ability have their Speed doubled.
Pokémon with the Ice Face Ability will restore their form Castform transforms into a Ice type Pokémon
The attack Weather Ball's Power doubles and becomes Ice-type
The attack Aurora Veil will work and will reduce damage from attacks, both Physical and Special, on the user by 50% for 5 turns, 8 with Light Clay
Weather Ball


Drowsy Pokémon are more likely to miss a move (Legends only)
All Ice-type Pokémon's Defense is increased by 50%
Bizzard's accuracy is increased to 100%
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 25% of user's HP
Pokémon with the Ice Body Ability have 1/16th of their max HP recovered each turn
Pokémon with the Snow Cloak Ability have their evasion boosted by 20%. Outside battle in 216 & 217, if head of the party, the wild encounter rate is decreased by 50%
Pokémon with the Slush Rush Ability have their Speed doubled.
Pokémon with the Ice Face Ability will restore their form The attack Weather Ball's Power doubles and becomes Ice-type
The attack Aurora Veil will work and will reduce damage from attacks, both Physical and Special, on the user by 50% for 5 turns, 8 with Light Clay
Snow

Snow is one of the seldom seen weather effects introduced in Pokémon Legends Arceus but continued in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Activation Means:
Using Move Snowscape or Chilly Reception
Using a Pokémon that has the Snow Warning.
Coronet Highlands & Alabaster Icelands in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Effects:
Pokémon are more likely to be afflicted by Frostbite (Legends only)
Snow


Sandstorm

Sandstorm is a relatively common weather effect

Activation Means:
Using Move Sandstorm
Using Max Move Max Rockfall
Using a Pokémon that has the Sandstream. Note, as of X & Y, this will only last 5 turns.
In RSE, Route 111's Desert is constantly afflicted by sandstorms
In DP, Route 228 is constantly afflicted by sandstorms
In BW, Route 4 and the Resort Desert are constantly afflicted by Sandstorms
In Sun & Moon, Haina Desert is often afflicted with a Sandstorm
The Wild Area areas of Axew's Eye, Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Dusty Bowl, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, North Lake Miloch, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins & West Lake Axewell will sometimes have the weather
Sandstorm
Effects:
All non-Rock, Ground or Steel type Pokémon are damaged each turn
Rock type Pokémon's Special Defense is increased by 50%
Solar Beam power is reduced
Shore Up recovers 66.6% of maximum Hit Points
Synthesis. Morning Sun & Moonlight recover 25% of user's HP
Pokémon with the Sand Veil Ability have their evasion boosted by 20%. Outside battle in 111 & 228, if head of the party, the wild encounter rate is decreased by 50%
Pokémon with the Sand Rush Ability have their Speed doubled
Pokémon with the Sand Force Ability have their Ground, Steel & Rock move strength increased by one stage
The Weather Ball attack's Power doubles and becomes Rock-type
Weather Ball


Strong Winds

Strong Winds is a special form of weather that is only activated when Mega Rayquaza is sent into battle. It lasts for as long as the Pokémon is in battle, not for five turns.

Activation Means:
Using a Pokémon that has the Delta Stream Ability.

Effects:
Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Hail & Sandstorm will fail.
Drought, Drizzle, Snow Warning & Sand Stream will not activate.
Overrides Harsh Sunshine and Heavy Rain weather effects
Moves used against Flying-type Pokémon that would be Super Effective have their power reduced
Strong Winds


Fog

Fog is a relatively unknown Weather Effect that completely changed after Generation IV

Activation Means:
There is no way to activate it as of yet
In DP, Route 210, Victory Road & Turnback Cave are afflicted with fog
It can be cleared using the move Defog, obtained through HM 05
The Wild Area areas of Axew's Eye, Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Dusty Bowl, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, North Lake Miloch, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins & West Lake Axewell will sometimes have the weather

Effects:
All Pokémon's Accuracy is reduced
As of Pokémon Sword & Shield, Misty Terrain is activated
Fog


Shadow Sky

Shadow Sky is a weather effect exclusive to Pokémon XD

Activation Means:
Using Move Shadow Sky, known by several Shadow Pokémon

Effects:
All non-Shadow Pokémon are damaged each turn
The Weather Ball attack 's Power doubles and becomes ???-type, having no Weaknesses or Resistances
Shadow Sky