Weather in Build 42 changes how cold, hot and wet you get, how far zombies can see and whether your crops grow. This page covers the forecast, heat and cold, getting wet and drying off. Updated for Build 42.21 Stable and 42.22 Pre-Release, November 2026.
The Emergency Broadcast on the radio gives a two-day forecast every hour: minimum and maximum temperature, humidity, wind, fog, rain and snow. Harsh weather such as thunderstorms, tropical storms and blizzards can be announced days ahead if the sandbox allows it. How to find the station is on radio.
| Level | Name | Core temperature | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unpleasantly Hot | Above 37.5 °C | Thirst and tiredness rise |
| 2 | Overheated | Above 39 °C | Slower movement and attacks |
| 3 | Sunstruck | Above 40 °C | Nausea and unreliable combat |
| 4 | Hyperthermia | Above 41 °C | Severe penalties, health can drain |
From one 42.19 guide (one source). Heavy clothing is the usual cause: every item has an insulation value from 0 to 1, and army boots, bulletproof vests and firefighter gear trap heat. Sprinting, long fights and standing by fires make it worse. To cool down, strip the extra layers after the fight, stop sprinting, drink and get into shade, a basement or a cool room.
Build 42 works out how cold you feel from the air temperature plus wind: a 5 °C day in a strong wind feels close to freezing. Open roads and fields make wind chill worse, forests break the wind and indoor tiles are warmer. The fastest way to hypothermia is cold, wind and wet clothes together. Treatment and winter clothing are on fire and heating and clothing.
| Moodle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Moist | Slightly damp |
| Wet | Damp |
| Soaking | You could catch a cold |
| Drenched | You are going to catch a cold |
One guide says sun, wind, open windows, campfires, ovens and car heaters do not speed drying in vanilla (one source). An umbrella cuts rain exposure while held but stops you sprinting; raincoats and ponchos resist water best. A cold makes you sneeze and cough, which zombies hear; see stealth.
Sandbox Temperature has five presets from Very Cold to Very Hot; see sandbox settings.
| Season | Main risk | Your job |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Rain and soaked clothes | Set up rain collectors and plant. Collected rain is not safe to drink: boil it or purify it. |
| Summer | Overheating in heavy gear | Loot in light layers, keep heavy armour for fights, drink often and rest in shade or a basement. |
| Autumn | Fog and swinging temperatures | Fog shortens how far you can see but not how far zombies hear, so move quietly. Stock fuel and warm clothes now. |
| Winter | Cold, wind and snow | Collectors stop filling when it freezes and farming stops outdoors. Live off stores, keep clothes dry and stay out of open, windy ground. |
Check the radio forecast every morning: two days’ warning is enough to move a loot run away from a storm.
Take off heavy layers after fighting, stop sprinting, drink and get into shade or a cool room.
Wring them out, use a powered clothes dryer, or change into a dry set. Towels only dry your body.
One guide says no: heat sources do not speed drying in vanilla.
Yes. Soaking and Drenched can give you a cold, which makes you sneeze and cough.
The Emergency Broadcast on the radio, every hour.
Temperature thresholds and drying rules come from single Build 42.19 guides and are marked. Sources: projectzomboid.wiki weather · PZFans heat · PZFans wetness. Your game is the final word: if it disagrees with us, tell us and we will fix the page.