Prototype via Epic Games

Severe weather is a no-brainer for battle royale games, and the forecast is quite dangerous for Fortnite. Tornado Week has begun, and it brings wind and lightning to the isle.

Tornado Week marks the arrival of Fortnite'south January 11 hotfix. Equally the proper name says, the highlight of this update is the tornado, which tin can bear on downwardly at any time during a game. You don't demand to run away from information technology, though — bound inside to swirl around in the air. You tin go out anytime to glide to another bespeak on the island or wait until the tornado spits you out on its own. You won't take any autumn damage from the latter.

Storm clouds may also form, sending lightning arching downward to the ground beneath. Lightning will light the surrounding expanse on burn and do a chip of impairment if information technology strikes you, but the shock will as well give you a temporary speed boost. Just like real lightning, it'south afflicted by summit and water, so you lot can increase your chances of getting zapped by climbing to a higher summit or heading to a body of water — Motorboats ought to come in handy.

These conditions conditions are permanent additions to the game, but during Tornado Week (which runs through nine AM ET on January 17), you lot'll see them much more than frequently. They appear in all not-competitive playlists. You won't see the Flare Gun in competitive playlists either, but the weapon has also been unvaulted as part of the hotfix. The Flare Gun appears in Chests, in Supply Drops, and on the basis.