In-game weather isn’t just cosmetic — it changes which Pokemon spawn more often, gives certain types a Combat Power boost when you catch or battle them, and can shift the outcome of a close PvP matchup. Here’s how each weather condition actually affects your game.
How weather boosts work
Each weather condition boosts two types at once, and any Pokemon of a boosted type gets a visible CP increase, a small bonus to catch XP, and slightly better stats when caught during that weather. The boost is applied live based on your device’s real-world weather and location, so it changes throughout the day as conditions shift.
The weather-to-type boost pairings
Sunny and Clear weather boost Grass, Ground and Fire types. Rain boosts Water, Electric and Bug types. Partly Cloudy boosts Normal and Rock types. Cloudy weather boosts Fairy, Fighting and Poison types. Windy weather boosts Dragon, Flying and Psychic types. Snow boosts Ice and Steel types. Fog boosts Dark and Ghost types.
Why weather matters for raids
A weather-boosted attacker hits harder in raids purely from the CP and stat increase, which can be the difference between soloing a tough raid boss or needing extra players. It’s worth checking the current weather before deciding which counters to bring to a raid, since a boosted off-meta pick can sometimes outperform an unboosted meta counter.
Weather and catching wild Pokemon
Weather-boosted wild Pokemon spawn with better stats on average, which makes checking the weather worthwhile before a dedicated catching session if you’re hunting for a strong IV Pokemon of a specific type. Weather also has a modest effect on which types spawn more frequently in the wild, layering on top of the CP and stat benefits.
Weather’s effect on PvP
In the GO Battle League, weather boosts apply to your Pokemon’s CP in battle exactly like it does elsewhere, which can shift favorable matchups since a boosted Pokemon effectively punches above its normal stat line. This is situational rather than something to build a whole team around, but it’s worth being aware of if you’re battling outdoors during a weather condition that favors your line-up — or your opponent’s.
A quick way to check current weather in-game
The weather icon shown on the main game map reflects the boost currently active at your location, and it updates automatically as real conditions change — no need to check an external weather app, since the in-game icon is the one that actually determines your boost.
