Skip to main content
Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Game of the Week
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Best gaming tech
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. RPG
  3. Fortnite

Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning are here and this is how they work

Guides
By Iain Wilson
Published 11 January 2022

If you see Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning in the sky, here's what you need to know about the weather

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning
(Image credit: Epic Games)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning have arrived as part of the new weather elements being deployed across the island, to continue the shake up of the meta in Fortnite Chapter 3. These meteorological phenomena are much more than just cosmetic additions, as they each bring their own effects to either help or hinder players in Fortnite, depending on your viewpoint. If you haven't encountered them before, then seeing a huge dark cloud form ahead of you could feel somewhat daunting, so we're here to explain everything you need to know about Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning.

Note that Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning form at random times and locations in each match, but during Tornado Week that runs until January 17 at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm GMT you'll encounter an increased number of twisters.

How do Fortnite Tornadoes work

Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Tornadoes form as a tall dark swirling column of wind, sucking up players, vehicles, scenery, and pretty much anything else that isn't nailed down as they move across the map. They shouldn't be feared, however, as they won't cause you any damage and can actually be used to your advantage. Once you get caught up in the vortex you'll be lifted high into the sky, and can keep spinning around until you decide to move on or the twister spits you out. You won't take fall damage when you land, but a better use of Fortnite Tornadoes is to open your glider at their peak so you can quickly travel over long distances.

How does Fortnite Lightning work

Fortnite Tornadoes and Lightning

(Image credit: Epic Games)

The other thing you need to watch out for in the sky is Fortnite Lightning, which starts striking once a round dark cloud has formed overhead. You'll see an electric blue area start flickering on the ground a couple of seconds before the lightning bolt strikes, and you can increase your chances of getting hit by swimming in water underneath the cloud or climbing up to the highest point. Why would you want to be struck by Fortnite Lightning, you might ask? Well, you'll take a small amount of damage and the surrounding area will be set alight, but you'll also receive a temporary speed boost to help you get around quicker and catch your opponents unawares.

Fortnite patch notes | Fortnite tips | Fortnite Creative codes | Fortnite 2FA | How to enable cross platform Fortnite matches | How to level up fast in Fortnite | How to get free Fortnite V-Bucks | Fortnite Starter Pack | Fortnite quests | Fortnite characters | Fortnite map | Fortnite new weapons | How to slide in Fortnite | Fortnite Victory Crown | Fortnite vaults | Fortnite loot boat | Fortnite Timber Pines | Fortnite tall grass | Fortnite Season 2

You may like
  • Key art for Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 7 What are the biggest changes for Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 7?
  • Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 7 loading screen showing that Fortnite is down and the servers are not responding Is Fortnite down? And if so then how long is the Fortnite downtime?
  • 8-Bit Shotgun, one of the Fortnite new weapons All Fortnite new weapons, vaulted and unvaulted for Season 4 Override
Iain Wilson
Iain Wilson
Social Links Navigation
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 1,000 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.

Read more
Key art for Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 7
Fortnite What are the biggest changes for Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 7?
 
 
Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 7 loading screen showing that Fortnite is down and the servers are not responding
Fortnite Is Fortnite down? And if so then how long is the Fortnite downtime?
 
 
8-Bit Shotgun, one of the Fortnite new weapons
Fortnite All Fortnite new weapons, vaulted and unvaulted for Season 4 Override
 
 
An in-game countdown projection leading to the start of the Fortnite Live Event Unstable Story Moment
Fortnite When is the next Fortnite live event, Unstable Story Moment?
 
 
One of the Fortnite Cheat Codes glowing on a wall
Fortnite Fortnite Cheat Codes and how to use them to collect Sprites
 
 
A Fortnite admin panel codes reward received for using a Lobby Hack
Fortnite Fortnite admin panel codes and how to use them to unlock Lobby Hacks
 
 
Latest in RPG
A blocky buck-toothed monster cheers among his friends
RPGs Mr. Hytale is offering $15,000 to the first person to beat a new challenge in next month's update
 
 
Sothis, a goddess, lounges in her chair in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
RPGs Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is too massive for How Long To Beat to have any useful results
 
 
A purple-haired human-like figure looks down lustfully at a blond-haired woman
RPGs Fire Emblem and Hades-inspired RPG flees from Ocarina of Time remake with a new release date
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker
RPGs The Blood of Dawnwalker devs "rebalanced" its time mechanic out of fear "people will complain"
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker main character Coen looking up after just feeding, with his mouth full of blood and sharp teeth
RPGs I'm too stubborn to wait for The Blood of Dawnwalker devs to fix a gamebreaking bug
 
 
A trackers alliance agent cocks her head to the side as she tries to entice you to join the organisation
RPGs "I don’t think Starfield was anywhere near successful enough to do a Starfield 2," Bethesda vet says
 
 
Latest in Guides
Control Resonant
Action RPGs How to reroute the Power Lines in Control Resonant
 
 
The MIO Specialist's Robe, one of the rewards available for redeeming Control Resonant codes
Action RPGs Control Resonant codes and how to redeem them for skins and outfits
 
 
A poison ball and a charge ball go head-to-head in Ball vs Ball.
Simulation Games All Ball vs Ball codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for Coins
 
 
Control Resonant
Action RPGs What to do and where to go first in Control Resonant
 
 
Silent Hill townfall blood puzzle
Silent Hill Silent Hill Townfall blood puzzle solution
 
 
A raven-haired character in a hood is illuminated by a bright yellow light in the intro to Shape of Dreams.
Roguelike Games Shape of Dreams codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for cosmetics
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 2B in Nier Automata
    1
    For Nier Automata, Yoko Taro just made the RPG he wanted to and "tried to stay hidden from Square Enix as much as possible"
  2. 2
    Rockstar reportedly reminded GTA 6's voice cast they're still under NDA after actor Stephen Root let slip he's in the game
  3. 3
    Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead says the original 1997 RPG "is very much enshrined within the story," but newcomers can still jump in with the Remake trilogy
  4. 4
    Manor Lords publisher isn't worried about launching a game on GTA 6's release date - PC players "looking to steal cars" might check out its new management sim instead
  5. 5
    Marvel's Wolverine finally lets you turn off overbearing Scent Trails for side content, but "story-critical senses will still appear in the world"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...