Enhance Seasons by adding weather variation by season

[YumatanGames]

Description:

I’d like to propose an enhancement to the Weather 2 mod that introduces detailed weather configuration based on the in-game seasons, especially when used alongside mods like Serene Seasons. The idea is to create an optional configuration file, seasons.toml, that adjusts weather patterns according to both the primary seasons and their sub-phases (e.g., early, mid, and late spring). This configuration would cover all potential weather events, such as storms, snow, hail, tornadoes, and others, with each event's likelihood adjusted to reflect a more realistic, temperate climate with well-defined seasons.

Why It Matters:

Currently, weather in Weather 2 remains consistent throughout the in-game year, which can detract from immersion, particularly when using mods like Serene Seasons. By introducing a system that varies weather events not just by season, but also by the specific phase of each season, players can experience a more dynamic and immersive environment. Additionally, incorporating a bit of randomness—such as the rare chance of snow in summer or hail in late autumn—could add an element of unpredictability that mimics real-world weather.

How It Could Work:

1. New Config File: seasons.toml

   • This file would activate if a seasons mod (e.g., Serene Seasons) is detected.
   • It would apply multipliers to existing weather settings in other files like Storm.toml or Wind.toml, based on both the season and its specific phase.
   • The weather events included could range from common occurrences like rain and wind to rarer events like tornadoes and snow, with each event's likelihood adjusted according to the season.

2. Example Structure of seasons.toml:

   [early_spring]
   storm_multiplier = 1.3
   tornado_multiplier = 0.5
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.1
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.5
   hail_chance = 0.3
   snow_chance = 0.1
   lightning_chance = 0.2
   
   [mid_spring]
   storm_multiplier = 1.2
   tornado_multiplier = 0.7
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.2
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.4
   hail_chance = 0.2
   snow_chance = 0.05
   lightning_chance = 0.3
   
   [late_spring]
   storm_multiplier = 1.1
   tornado_multiplier = 0.8
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.3
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.3
   hail_chance = 0.1
   snow_chance = 0.02
   lightning_chance = 0.4
   
   [early_summer]
   storm_multiplier = 1.6
   tornado_multiplier = 1.0
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.5
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.2
   hail_chance = 0.05
   snow_chance = 0.01
   lightning_chance = 0.5
   
   [mid_summer]
   storm_multiplier = 1.8
   tornado_multiplier = 1.2
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.7
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.1
   hail_chance = 0.03
   snow_chance = 0.005
   lightning_chance = 0.6
   
   [late_summer]
   storm_multiplier = 1.5
   tornado_multiplier = 1.0
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.6
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.3
   hail_chance = 0.04
   snow_chance = 0.01
   lightning_chance = 0.4
   
   [early_autumn]
   storm_multiplier = 1.4
   tornado_multiplier = 0.8
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.3
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.4
   hail_chance = 0.2
   snow_chance = 0.1
   lightning_chance = 0.3
   
   [mid_autumn]
   storm_multiplier = 1.3
   tornado_multiplier = 0.7
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.2
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.3
   hail_chance = 0.3
   snow_chance = 0.2
   lightning_chance = 0.2
   
   [late_autumn]
   storm_multiplier = 1.2
   tornado_multiplier = 0.5
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.3
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.5
   hail_chance = 0.4
   snow_chance = 0.3
   lightning_chance = 0.1
   
   [early_winter]
   storm_multiplier = 1.0
   tornado_multiplier = 0.3
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.4
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.6
   hail_chance = 0.5
   snow_chance = 0.6
   lightning_chance = 0.05
   
   [mid_winter]
   storm_multiplier = 0.8
   tornado_multiplier = 0.2
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.5
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.7
   hail_chance = 0.4
   snow_chance = 0.7
   lightning_chance = 0.03
   
   [late_winter]
   storm_multiplier = 0.9
   tornado_multiplier = 0.4
   wind_speed_multiplier = 1.3
   precipitation_multiplier = 1.5
   hail_chance = 0.3
   snow_chance = 0.5
   lightning_chance = 0.1

   • storm_multiplier: Adjusts overall storm likelihood.
   • tornado_multiplier: Controls tornado frequency during storms.
   • wind_speed_multiplier: Affects wind strength.
   • precipitation_multiplier: Alters the amount or frequency of rain/snow.
   • hail_chance: Introduces a chance for hail during the storm (value represents probability).
   • snow_chance: Sets the likelihood of snow instead of rain during different seasons.
   • lightning_chance: Adjusts the likelihood of lightning strikes during storms.

3. Seasonal Weather Events:

   • Spring:

     • Early spring could see more hailstorms as the cold winter air begins to mix with warmer spring air.
     • Snow is still possible in early spring, though unlikely by mid to late spring.
     • Tornadoes are less common in early spring but become more likely as the season progresses.
     • Storms are frequent, with a mix of rain, hail, and the occasional lightning storm.

   • Summer:

     • Early summer introduces stronger storms, with a higher likelihood of tornadoes, particularly in mid-summer.
     • Hail becomes rare, and snow is extremely unlikely, though not impossible.
     • Lightning storms are common, especially during mid-summer, reflecting the increased atmospheric energy.
     • Late summer sees a slight reduction in tornado activity but maintains high storm intensity.

   • Autumn:

     • Early autumn experiences a mix of late summer storms and early winter conditions, including more frequent hail and the potential for early snow.
     • Tornadoes become less frequent but are still possible, especially during early autumn.
     • Mid-autumn increases the likelihood of hail and the first significant snowfalls.
     • Late autumn could see frequent storms with both rain and snow, preparing for the winter months.

   • Winter:

     • Early winter starts with significant storms and frequent snowfalls, with some hail mixed in.
     • Mid-winter focuses on snow, with reduced storm and tornado activity. Lightning becomes rare but still possible during intense storms.
     • Late winter shows a gradual decrease in snowfall and storm intensity, with occasional hail as the season transitions into spring.

4. Why This Approach:

   • This system enhances the existing weather settings by adding seasonal adjustments that reflect the natural climate transitions.
   • It maintains the unpredictability of weather while grounding it in realistic, seasonal patterns.
   • By considering all potential weather events, it offers a more comprehensive and immersive gameplay experience.

Conclusion:

By implementing a seasons.toml configuration file, Weather 2 could offer a more realistic and engaging weather system that evolves throughout the in-game year. This feature would cater to players who appreciate the nuances of seasonal changes, providing a dynamic environment that feels alive and responsive to the passage of time.