In-game weather isn’t just cosmetic — it changes which Pokemon spawn more often, gives certain types a level boost when you catch them and 20% more damage in Gym and raid battles, which can tip the outcome of a tough raid. If you want the background on stats, see how Combat Power works. Here’s how each weather condition actually affects your game.
How weather boosts work
Each weather condition boosts two or three Pokémon types. A wild Pokémon of a boosted type appears at a higher level with better minimum IVs, and catching it gives extra Stardust, which helps when you are chasing XP and resources. 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 because its matching-type moves deal 20% more damage, 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 Pokémon spawn at higher levels with better minimum IVs, 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 level and IV benefits.
Weather’s effect on PvP
In the GO Battle League, weather boosts do not apply to the battle: the damage bonus is not used in ranked Trainer Battles, so a team should be built on typing, moves and stats instead of the forecast. Weather still matters before the battle, when you are hunting for boosted wild Pokémon to power up.
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.
Weather Boost Numbers at a Glance
The sections above explain which types each weather condition favors. Here is what a boost actually changes in numbers, so you can judge whether a weather-boosted Pokémon is worth your time.
| Situation | Normal | Weather-boosted |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Pokémon level range | Levels 1-30 | Levels 6-35 (five levels higher) |
| Wild Pokémon minimum IVs | 0 in each stat | 4 in each stat (4/4/4 floor) |
| Stardust per catch | Standard amount | 25% more |
| Raid boss catch level | Level 20 | Level 25 |
| Raid boss catch IV floor | 10/10/10 | 10/10/10 (unchanged) |
| Damage with a boosted-type move in Gyms and raids | Standard | 20% more |
Because a boosted wild Pokémon is five levels higher, its CP is noticeably higher than the same species with the same IVs found in clear conditions. If you want to see exactly what a given level and IV spread produces, the CP Calculator and our guide on how Combat Power works cover it. Keep in mind that the 4/4/4 floor only raises the minimum; it does not guarantee a great Pokémon.
How to Read the Weather Icon and Spot Boosted Spawns
The weather indicator sits in the top right corner of the map screen. Tap it and the game lists the Pokémon types that the current conditions boost. Boosted wild Pokémon also stand out on the map: they appear with a swirling white effect around them, which is a quick way to pick them out of a crowded area.
Once you own a boosted Pokémon, open its summary screen to see which of its moves are currently enhanced. A Fire-type move is stronger in sunny weather, for example, and the summary shows the added power for each move.
How often does the weather change?
Weather in Pokémon GO follows a forecast for your local area, and it is updated about once an hour rather than in real time. If it starts raining outside but the icon still shows sunshine, wait for the next update before you rush out. Niantic’s support page also warns that weather information can occasionally be wrong or unavailable.
How to Plan a Session Around Weather
You rarely control the weather, but you can control what you do with it. A simple routine works well:
- Check the icon before you leave. Tap it and note the two or three boosted types. If a Pokémon you want is one of those types, expect more of them and better stats.
- Raid with the right attackers. If a raid boss is weak to a boosted type, a counter of that type gains 20% more damage on its matching moves. Compare options in the Raid Counters tool and check effectiveness in the Type Chart.
- Remember the boss is boosted too. Boosted types hit harder for opponents as well, so a boss whose own attacks match the current weather becomes more dangerous. If you are new to group battles, start with our beginner’s guide to raids.
- Save Stardust-hungry catching for boosted spawns. With 25% more Stardust per catch, a rainy or windy day is a good time to work through many boosted spawns of the right types.
Weather-Boosted Raid Bosses: Catch Level and Attackers
When you defeat a raid boss under a weather boost that matches its type, the Pokémon you encounter is level 25 instead of level 20. This is one of the clearest benefits of raiding in the right weather, especially for a boss you plan to power up or use in battle. The IV floor does not change, though: raid catches keep their usual 10/10/10 minimum whether or not the weather helps.
On the attacking side, the 20% damage bonus applies to moves whose type matches the boosted types, in both Gym and raid battles. Re-check your counter list when the weather changes.
What about Battle League?
Weather’s damage bonus is not applied in GO Battle League. If you build a PvP team, base it on moves, stats and the PvP IV Calculator results rather than on the forecast.
Common Mistakes and Myths
- Myth: a boosted Pokémon is always a high-IV Pokémon. Boosted wild spawns have a 4/4/4 floor and a higher level, but the actual IVs still vary from there. Appraise before you decide.
- Mistake: ignoring type matchups because of weather. A 20% bonus is helpful, but it does not outweigh a bad type matchup. Use the type effectiveness guide first and treat weather as a tiebreaker.
- Mistake: trusting the icon blindly. The forecast is an hour-by-hour estimate, so what you see outside may not match the game for a short time.
Weather Boost FAQ
How many levels higher is a weather-boosted wild Pokémon?
Five. Boosted wild Pokémon appear at levels 6-35, instead of the usual 1-30.
Do weather boosts give extra Stardust?
Yes. Catching a weather-boosted Pokémon gives 25% more Stardust.
Does weather affect move damage?
Moves that match a boosted type deal 20% more damage in Gym and raid battles. This bonus does not apply in GO Battle League.
Related Guides
- Raid Counters tool
- Type Chart tool
- CP Calculator
- PvP IV Calculator
- Beginner’s Guide to Raids
- Full Type Effectiveness Guide
- How Combat Power Works
- Pokémon GO guides hub
Sources: Bulbapedia – Weather (GO), GamePress, Dittobase – Weather, Dittobase – IV Floors, Poketools – Weather Boost, Pokémon GO Hub, Pokémon GO Hub database update, Niantic Support – Weather boosts, Tech Advisor, Serebii.
