
Gameplay
GTA 6 Weather, Hurricanes & Day/Night Cycle
GTA 6's simulated weather: localised storms, wind-driven clouds, wet surfaces that dry realistically, waves and sheltered bays, aircraft in storms, hurricanes, and a day/night cycle longer than GTA 5's 48 minutes.
Updated November 8, 2026
GTA 5 switched between preset weather states. GTA 6 simulates weather locally, built to capture Florida's chaotic climate — sunny on one side of town and pouring on the other.
How it works
- Clouds move independently, driven by wind, humidity, fog, time of day and season.
- Weather is local, not global. You can stand in sunshine watching a thunderstorm build miles away — dark clouds, lightning, rain falling in the distance.
- Drive into it and conditions change gradually as you approach.
- It doesn't flip every few minutes. Leave a rainy area, come back, and it may still be raining.
After the storm
- Wet roads persist, puddles linger and dry as the sun moves.
- Buildings drip.
- Different surfaces dry at different rates.
- Rainbows form realistically.
- Severe storms leave damage: ruined rooftops and fallen trees.
Weather and gameplay
| Situation | Effect |
|---|---|
| Boating in exposed water | Wind-driven waves throw small boats around |
| Boating in sheltered bays | Islands and buildings shelter the water; calmer conditions |
| Flying in a storm | Planes and helicopters are harder to control; staying in severe weather can cause light damage |
| Cliffs and coasts | Wind can create updrafts |
| Pedestrians and animals | Seek shelter |
| Driving | Wet surfaces reduce grip |
Hurricanes
Tropical storms and hurricanes are included, in scripted missions and potentially in free roam. Given the launch trailer is soundtracked by "Flower in a Hurricane," expect them to matter in the story.
Day and night
A full day in GTA 5 lasts 48 real minutes (two minutes per in-game hour). Rockstar tried the same timing for GTA 6 and found the world moved too quickly, so days and nights are now longer. The exact length isn't public, but sunsets and night drives last longer — and road trips across a map twice GTA 5's size won't jump from noon to midnight.
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