Fortnite weather update — Watch out for tornadoes and lightning on Artemis Island
Fortnite weather update Hotfix unveils tornadoes, lightning strikes and unvaults the Flare Gun
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Prepare for bad weather, as Epic Games introduces a massive new game-changing mechanic for Fortnite — tornadoes and lightning.
The new weather update has been teased for some time, and was finally rolled out to Fortnite players in a hotfix update on January 11th, 2022. The new weather events aren’t just for aesthetic purposes, either, they bring a whole new level of survival and interactivity. So let’s take a look at just what Fortnite tornadoes do, and what happens if you get struck by lightning.
Fortnite January 11th Hotfix – Tornadoes
While keeping your wits about you for any nearby enemies, you might also want to start keeping your eyes on the sky, too. If you see a swirling tornado start to form inside a Fortnite match, get ready to fly. Rather than running away from the looming tornado, running into it will provide you with the ultimate escape plan. You’ll get whisked into the air, damage free, and will be able to glide off to a new location. If the tornado spits you out first, don’t panic, you won’t receive any fall damage.
Please note, we do not recommend running into tornadoes in the real world.
Fortnite January 11th Hotfix – Lightning strikes
Lightning also comes to Fortnite with this spate of bad weather. Again, unlike the real world, you might find you actually want to get struck by lightning on Artemis Island. While a bolt of lightning will cause you a small amount of damage, it will also reward you with a temporary speed boost – like that given by Chili Chug Splash or Peppermints – so decide whether the pain is worth the power.
How to get struck by lightning in Fortnite
Increase your chances of getting struck by lightning by knowing where to go. If you see a dark cloud forming above your head, head to water or high ground. You will have an increased chance of being struck by lightning if you are in a body of water directly beneath the cloud, or are at the highest land point underneath the cloud.
Lightning doesn’t strike twice, though, and if you’re struck by lightning once, you won’t be able to receive the effects again for some time, so be strategic about when you use it.
Fortnite Tornado Week
To celebrate the release of these disastrously thrilling new gameplay mechanics, it’s Tornado Week in Fortnite. Until January 17th, 2022 at 6am PST/9am EST/2pm GMT, there is a higher chance of tornadoes spawning around the island. So get out there, stormchaser!
Challenges are expected on Thursday, January 13th, 2022, which relate to the new Fortnite weather update. We’ll update you as soon as we know more.
Fortnite January 11th Hotfix – Flare Gun is unvaulted
A smaller change has also been rolled out with this January 11th Fortnite hotfix. While it may have fallen a little by the wayside to the news of the natural disasters on the island, Flare Guns have been unvaulted, and can now be picked up in Fortnite Battle Royale matches. Compete with the lightning strikes and start fires by finding Flare Guns in Chests, floor loot and in Supply Boxes.
