Changing Weather Settings

Understand how simulated weather operates


Thinking outside the Weather dialog box

In addition to the weather choices that you can make using the Weather dialog box, you can also set three options using the Weather Settings dialog box: You can choose to get winds aloft data with real-world weather downloads, turn off the aircraft's response to turbulence, and adjust the rate at which weather changes.

Download Winds Aloft Data

Flight Simulator will not download information concerning winds aloft unless you select this option. Be aware that when you select this option, Flight Simulator will create appropriate turbulence in the downloaded wind layers. If you don't want turbulence, either don't select this option or modify the real-world weather in the User-defined weather dialog box. To learn more, see Using User-Defined Weather.

 

To download winds aloft data with real-world weather

  1. From the main screen, click Settings.
  2. In the Settings dialog box, click the Weather button.
  3. Select the Download winds aloft data with real-world weather check box.
  4. Click OK.
-or-
  1. On the Options menu, point to Settings and then click Weather.
  2. Select the Download winds aloft data with real-world weather check box.
  3. Click OK.

Disable Turbulence Effect

When real-world weather is downloaded, wind layers and clouds often contain turbulence. You can disable the effect turbulence has on your aircraft to make the flight smoother.

 

To disable the turbulence effect

  1. From the main screen, click Settings.
  2. In the Settings dialog box, click the Weather button.
  3. Select the Disable turbulence effect on aircraft check box.
  4. Click OK.
-or-
  1. On the Options menu, point to Settings and then click Weather.
  2. Select the Disable turbulence effect on aircraft check box.
  3. Click OK.

Dynamic Weather

When the Rate at which weather changes over time slider is set to None, weather in Flight Simulator will remain as you set it in the User-defined weather dialog box or as it was downloaded from the Internet. When this option is set to Mild, Medium, High, or Extreme, weather conditions will change dynamically depending on the atmospheric conditions set in the Weather dialog box. For example, at the Mild setting, it might take a couple of hours to see much change in the weather. At the Extreme setting, you'll likely see changes in 15 to 20 minutes.

Dynamic weather applies to all three weather types: Weather themes, Real-world weather, and User-defined weather. Clouds, winds, and precipitation will form and dissipate over time depending on the conditions chosen or downloaded.

 

To change the rate at which weather changes

  1. From the main screen, click Settings.
  2. In the Settings dialog box, click the Weather button.
  3. Move the Rate at which weather changes over time slider to the desired setting.
  4. Click OK.
-or-
  1. On the Options menu, point to Settings and then click Weather.
  2. Move the Rate at which weather changes over time slider to the desired setting.
  3. Click OK.