Can we use this post to talk about MSFS weather. Does anyone else notice just how much improved the weather is? I did a flight yesterday out of low lying fog in Santa Barbra which when I broke out and was at 3000 feet was above the cloud tops. It was such a beautiful formation how the cloud tops looked as I skimmed above them. Then arriving in Van Nuys it was haze. I could see the haze bank filling the valley and how it dispersed into the foothills. Never once did the clouds flash or break.

Then on a prior flight getting into Big Bear, coming around the mountain range in a C152, getting bounced around pretty good from ridge lift and turbulent winds. I am truly enjoying the new weather both in visuals and how it affects the plane all being the most realistic to date. How far we have come from the old 2D billboard clouds and overcast layers where the airport lights can shine through.

6 minutes ago, Ident said:

Can we use this post to talk about MSFS weather. Does anyone else notice just how much improved the weather is? I did a flight yesterday out of low lying fog in Santa Barbra which when I broke out and was at 3000 feet was above the cloud tops. It was such a beautiful formation how the cloud tops looked as I skimmed above them. Then arriving in Van Nuys it was haze. I could see the haze bank filling the valley and how it dispersed into the foothills. Never once did the clouds flash or break.

Then on a prior flight getting into Big Bear, coming around the mountain range in a C152, getting bounced around pretty good from ridge lift and turbulent winds. I am truly enjoying the new weather both in visuals and how it affects the plane all being the most realistic to date. How far we have come from the old 2D billboard clouds and overcast layers where the airport lights can shine through.

The clouds are even better in MSFS 2024. And for me, that’s crazy because I already thought MSFS 2020 clouds were the best clouds for a flight simulator (yes, including even military sims like DCS World).  It’s impressive how they made the clouds better in MSFS 2024.

Yes, big improvement in clouds and weather and overall ambience. I have a much greater sensation of being airborne now than I ever did in 2020. I woke up to fog in the UK today and did an early morning flight starting not far from here and they had it just right. Then the fog lifted and the sun came up and it was perfect. It's amazing to me just how many memorable flights I've had already in 2024. 

Yes, I have noticed much better winter weather with proper fog. Certainly improved over 2020. 

FWIW, an older thread where I was trying to get feedback on weather in the initial days after release: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/656516-verdicts-on-weather-clouds-etc-in-msfs-2024
 

 

Something that makes me want to hug 2024 is how consistently the weather reflects what the METAR says. You know how many times i've loaded up 2020 to clear skies when the report says there are two layers of few and broken clouds?

And yeah, aside from that, 2024 finally gives us crisp and lily white clouds that catch the light just right. Cirrus clouds are also a very welcome addition.

4 minutes ago, Krakin said:

Something that makes me want to hug 2024 is how consistently the weather reflects what the METAR says. You know how many times i've loaded up 2020 to clear skies when the report says there are two layers of few and broken clouds?

And yeah, aside from that, 2024 finally gives us crisp and lily white clouds that catch the light just right. Cirrus clouds are also a very welcome addition.

Thunderstorms are still broken though. I've yet to go to an airport reporting a TS and actually see a TS

Edited December 24, 20241 yr by Tuskin38

Patch 3; the morning after. Yeovilton to Exeter in my lovely marketplace Turbine Duke. Live weather. 

I'll take this....🫡

 

Yes it does seem better however I still can’t believe we’ve gone this long with too much lightning then not any and then back to too much and now for the last year or so we’ve been left with none in live weather.  I just flew into thunderstorms around DAL and could see buildups and much better storm representation in 2024 but not one lightning flash when there’s been plenty of lightning around here all morning long.

While flying in FS2020 in South America yesterday I suddenly got thunder and lightning (though there were only a few clouds with occasional rain in the area).

Weather still blows. Just did flight and not remotely matching the METAR or surrounding WX.

METAR has been decent for me...  I think the bases are still too high / or are too easy to see through at times.  This really only happens in live weather.  I think they kill off cloud density for performance.  But you can play around with custom weather and create decent cloud bases.

2024 includes God Rays / Crepuscular Rays which look amazing!  I've seen this irl when flying and it's very accurate

 

Edited December 25, 20241 yr by ryanbatc

16 hours ago, Tuskin38 said:

Thunderstorms are still broken though. I've yet to go to an airport reporting a TS and actually see a TS

I've read this from a few people although the times I went to look there wasn't any decent TS activity, the other carry over issue from 2020 is the (ridiculous) METAR bubbles around airports. Magical circular areas of rain or clouds that have plagued the Sim since the vatsim crowd got their wish with SU7.

Yes, the 2024 weather/clouds are much improved which is great to see.  It's such a shame that the weather bubbles are still an issue ... I recently took a morning outing over a thick Los Angeles marine layer (a few hundred feet AGL to around 2500) and LAX was a perfect LAX-sized clear hole in a sea of white.  Other than that been fabulous. Cheers and Happy Christmas to you all! X

Ok I should specify that METAR thunderstorms appear to be broken. I have seem them outside of METAR areas.

Edited December 26, 20241 yr by Tuskin38