Precipitation

Precipitation is a natural phenomenon that occurs as an event of unpredictable weather changes. This feature is introduced in The Sims 2: Seasons. There are three kinds of natural precipitation (rain, hail, and snow), and artificial one (rain of fire). Each of these natural precipitations may occurs according to the following or preceding season, not only the current one. Thus, snow may occur in the first day of Spring if Winter was just over. It won’t, of course, in the middle of the Summer.

Precipitation can be determined by its type, intensity, accumulation, and duration. They all depend on the season. The type, as described above, is the kind of the precipitation, whether it’s rain, hail, or snow. The intensity determines how heavy the precipitation is. For example, how heavy the rain is until lightning can possibly strike the trees, how heavy the hail is that might bludgeon Sims to death, or how long it will take for snow to accumulate. The accumulation is how long the precipitation has occurred until the ground is covered. The duration is random. No one can expect when the precipitation stops except by checking the Weather Report.

Each season also brings different chances of daily precipitation:
 * Spring: 30% daily chance
 * Summer: 20% daily chance
 * Fall: 15% daily chance
 * Winter: 50% daily chance

Additionally, precipitations will neither occur nor stop if Tempus Interruptus spell is cast by a Witch. Some Sims usually want or fear to see certain precipitations.

Rain
Rain occurs in almost all seasons, except Winter. It most likely occurs in Spring. Rain has several effects for the gameplay. Rainfall waters the flowers, plants, and crops, though light rain may not cause overwatering, while heavier rains or long rain causes greater affects that might overwater the plants. Rainfall extinguishes outdoor fires.
 * Seasons: Spring (30%), Summer (10%), Fall (15%)
 * Intensities: Light, heavy, rainstorm
 * Accumulation Levels: Puddles

Sims are more likely to do indoor activities. Rain also satisfies PlantSim’s Water need and revives Sims who suffer from heatstroke. Servos are rain-resistant, though they can get short-circuited when splashing in the puddles. Cats don’t seem to be afraid of rains. Rain can be made by Evil Witches’ spell Corruptus Locus, while it can be stopped by Good Witches’ spell Beautificus Locus.

Rain never stops in Fortress of Eternal Darkness.

Rain Puddles
Rain puddles begin to appear after it’s raining for a while. This kind of puddle is different from the regular one. Sims can splash in the puddles to raise fun. They can also mop it, though it’s not necessary because outdoor rain puddles will evaporate after the rain stops for a moment. Indoor rain puddles still need to be mopped.

Rain puddles and original puddles can be easily distinguished by the colors. Rain puddles are paler than the other one. They will not mix up even if they’re adjacent each others. Still, only rain puddles can evaporate.

How quick the rain puddles form depends on the intensity of the rain. Thus, the heavier the rain is, the faster rain puddles appear.

Lightning
Any rainfall can cause lightning, but the heavier the intensity, the greater the chance. Rainstorms are the most possible intensity to produce lightning. There are two kinds of lightning strikes, essentially:
 * Distant Strike. This lightning strikes beyond the lot. It causes flash and thunder sound, but it won’t harm the current lot.
 * Local Strike. Local lightning strikes something in the lot, objects or Sims. Actual lightning bolt can be seen striking in the lot, in addition to big flash in the sky and heavy thunder sound.

Local lightning strikes can be dangerous, causing fire, mayhem, and even death. Lightning strikes random objects, but some objects are more likely to get struck.
 * Trees. Most trees other than orchard trees get struck by lightning.
 * Lightning Rod. The EZ120v Lightning Finial is a functional roof object, that can be used as a decoration and a lightning strike prevention.
 * Large Objects. The larger the object, the more likely it get hit.
 * Pools and Hot Tubs. Sims who are in pool or hot tub are the frequent targets of the lightning strikes. The difference is, only one Sim gets struck in the hot tub, while all Sims get electrocuted in the same pool.

Most of the times, fire caused by lightning strikes are extinguished immediately by the rainfall, but in rare condition, rain stops after the very last lightning strike. In this situation, fire won’t be extinguished.

The Sims Castaway Stories
Rain also appears as a feature in The Sims Castaway Stories. Rain will significantly lower down Sims' temperature. In addition, it will put out fire, and fire cannot be made until the rain is over.

Hail
Summer is the only season in which hail occurs. Hail can be light or heavy, and heavy hail can be deadly. When hail falls, Sims react by covering their head. Light hail doesn’t impact Sims’ motives, while heavy hail will drain Sims’ motives quickly. There is a random chance that in heavy hail, a hail barrage will fall from the sky and bludgeon Sims outside. Sims who got bludgeoned by this hail barrage will get sudden need drop, and, if their needs are low enough, will die.
 * Seasons: Summer (10%)
 * Intensities: Light and heavy
 * Accumulation Levels: Hail on Ground

Hail can also damage crops. It lowers the quality over time.

Snow
Snow only occurs in Winter. There is few differences between light and heavy snow, other than how quick they will pile up snow on the ground. There are many activities that can be done in snow, but most activities can only be available in heavy accumulation. However, playing in snow will lower Sims’ temperature quickly. Snow also attracts penguin. Snow on ground will eventually melt if no more snow falls.
 * Seasons: Winter (50%)
 * Intensities: Light and heavy
 * Accumulation Levels: Snow on Ground

Snow Activities
These activities can mostly be done if there is heavy snow accumulation.
 * Sims can play snowball fight with others. This is similar to playing water balloon fight.
 * Sims can build snowmen alone or together. Snowmen, partial or finished, attract penguin.
 * Sims can create snow angels on ground.
 * If heavy snow falls until morning, there’s chance that the school will be cancelled for snow day. Children and Teens react to it according to their personality (Cheer/Sigh).
 * Toddlers can play in snow.
 * Toddlers and dogs can eat snow.
 * Some interactions are disabled outdoor, i.e. Hanging Out, Stargazing, Working Out, Yoga, and Jumping Rope.
 * Snow can damage the quality of crops.