What is a weather boost?
Weather boosts are in-game effects that reflect real-world weather in your area. When a specific weather type is active, certain Pokémon types appear more often and receive gameplay bonuses. Use weather to find rare spawns, improve raid/move performance, and plan catch/evolve sessions.
Primary effects of weather
- Increased spawn rates: Pokémon of weather-related types appear more frequently on the map.
- Boosted power: Weather-boosted Pokémon often have higher CP and better IV potential when encountered in boosted weather.
- Move damage bonus: Moves whose type matches the weather receive an in-battle damage increase.
- Higher encounter levels: Wild Pokémon in boosted weather tend to be at a higher level, making them tougher and more rewarding to catch.
Common weather types (examples)
Typical weather categories in Pokémon GO include Sunny/Clear, Rainy, Partly Cloudy, Cloudy, Windy, Snow/Blizzard, Fog, and Foggy — each boosts related Pokémon types. (Exact labels and coverage can vary by region and updates.)
How weather affects gameplay
| Area | Effect | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Wild spawns | More frequent spawns of weather types | Hunt for rare species and look for high-IV/CP boosted encounters. |
| Raids | Weather-boosted moves deal more damage during raids | Use Pokémon whose moves match the weather for faster clears. |
| Gyms & PvP | Moves of the boosted weather type gain effectiveness | Pick counters that resist or outpace the boosted types. |
| Wild encounter level | Higher max level, better IVs | Save Stardust & Candy when catching boosted Pokémon for powering up later. |
Strategies & tips
- Farm boosted spawns: When a weather type you need is active, focus on areas with many PokéStops or nests to maximize encounters.
- Raid counters: For weather-boosted raids, prioritize attackers whose moves are boosted by the same weather; they will clear raids faster.
- Save your Stardust: Catch boosted Pokémon with better IVs and higher CP so you can power up efficiently.
- Plan Community Days and Spotlight Hours: Pay attention to the weather forecast in-game; during events, weather may influence which Pokémon appear boosted.
- Use Incense/Star Piece judiciously: Incense increases spawns for you personally; combined with boosted weather it can speed up farming sessions.
Checklist before a weather-farm session
Preparation
- Check in-game weather and local forecast.
- Stock Poké Balls, Berries, and a few Incense if needed.
- Open the Nearby / Sightings for the area and mark rare boosted targets.
During session
- Prioritize catching high-CP/IV boosted spawns.
- Use curveballs and golden razz to secure high-value encounters.
- Collect and note species for potential trades and dex entries.
Common misconceptions
- Weather doesn't change type effectiveness in PvP instantly: Weather affects move damage and spawns but match-ups still depend on resistances.
- Not all boosted Pokémon are guaranteed high-IV: Weather increases chances for higher-level encounters but IVs still vary — check before powering up.
- Weather changes are regional: It may be different between cities and can change several times a day based on the game's weather provider.
Printable cheat-sheet
Quick steps
- Open the game and check current weather badge.
- Mark boosted species in Nearby.
- Use Incense or move to high-stop areas to farm.
Raid priority
- Choose attackers with moves boosted by the current weather.
- Bring counters that resist the boosted type.
- Coordinate timing for remote raids if necessary.