Forza Horizon 5 is one of the most visually impressive racing games ever created. Set in a massive open-world version of Mexico, the game features stunning landscapes, realistic lighting, dynamic weather effects, and a complete day-night cycle that dramatically changes the driving experience. Whether you are racing through deserts under bright sunshine, drifting through tropical storms, exploring jungle roads at sunrise, or cruising through city streets at night, weather and time of day play a major role in the atmosphere of the game.
Many players eventually want more control over these environmental effects. Some prefer nighttime driving because of the realistic headlights and city lights. Others enjoy racing during sunrise or sunset because of the beautiful lighting conditions. Photographers often want rainy weather, fog, or storms to create dramatic screenshots. New players are frequently surprised to discover that there is no simple button that instantly changes the weather or switches daytime to nighttime during normal free roam.
As a result, one of the most common questions among Forza Horizon 5 players is: How do you change the weather and time in Forza Horizon 5?
The answer depends on what you want to do. While the game does not allow direct weather and time controls during standard free roam, there are several methods that allow players to customize environmental conditions through EventLab, custom races, blueprints, Horizon Solo, and Photo Mode.
This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about changing weather and time in Forza Horizon 5, including limitations, available options, and the best methods for creating your ideal driving environment.
Understanding How Weather And Time Work In Forza Horizon 5
Before attempting to change weather or time settings, it is important to understand how these systems function in the game.
Unlike traditional racing games that allow players to select weather conditions before every race, Forza Horizon 5 uses a dynamic world simulation. The environment changes naturally as you play.
Several systems work together:
- Dynamic weather
- Day-night cycle
- Seasonal weather patterns
- Regional weather effects
- Online synchronization
This means weather can vary dramatically depending on where you are located on the map.
For example:
- Tropical storms may occur near the jungle.
- Dust storms may appear in desert areas.
- Heavy rain can develop along coastal regions.
- Clear skies may exist in another part of the map simultaneously.
Similarly, the game automatically transitions through:
- Sunrise
- Morning
- Midday
- Afternoon
- Sunset
- Evening
- Night
These transitions occur continuously while playing.
Because the Horizon Festival world is designed to feel alive and realistic, Playground Games intentionally limits direct control during standard free roam.
Can You Manually Change Weather In Free Roam?
This is the question most players ask first.
The simple answer is:
No, you cannot manually change weather in normal free roam.
There is no built-in option that lets you instantly switch from sunshine to rain while driving around the open world.
Likewise, there is no menu option that immediately changes daytime into nighttime while exploring Mexico.
Instead, weather and time change automatically according to the game’s environmental simulation.
If you remain in free roam long enough, you will naturally experience:
- Sunny weather
- Rain
- Storms
- Overcast skies
- Fog
- Sunsets
- Nighttime
- Sunrise
However, you cannot directly select these conditions while remaining in standard free roam mode.
Fortunately, several alternative methods provide substantial control over weather and time settings.
Method 1: Use EventLab To Change Weather And Time
EventLab is the most powerful tool available for customizing weather and time in Forza Horizon 5.
It allows players to create custom racing events with specific environmental conditions.
Using EventLab, you can select:
- Time of day
- Weather type
- Time progression
- Race rules
- Route layouts
This is the preferred method for players who want complete environmental control.
How To Create An EventLab Blueprint
Begin by driving to any race location on the map.
Examples include:
- Road races
- Dirt races
- Street races
- Cross-country races
Once at the event:
- Open the race menu.
- Select Create Blueprint.
- Create a custom route if desired.
- Save the route.
- Choose Event Settings.
Inside Event Settings, you will find several customization options.
These settings allow you to modify environmental conditions before launching the event.
Selecting Custom Weather
Within Event Settings, locate the Weather section.
You will typically see options such as:
- Clear
- Cloudy
- Overcast
- Rain
- Heavy Rain
- Storm
- Fog
Available choices may vary depending on event type and location.
After selecting a weather type:
- Save the blueprint.
- Launch the event.
- Begin driving under your chosen conditions.
This effectively allows you to experience weather that would otherwise occur randomly during free roam.
Changing Time Of Day
The same Event Settings menu includes Time Of Day controls.
Available options generally include:
- Dawn
- Morning
- Midday
- Afternoon
- Sunset
- Evening
- Night
Simply choose your preferred time period before launching the event.
Many players use this feature to:
- Drive permanently at night
- Capture sunset photography
- Enjoy sunrise scenery
- Create cinematic racing experiences
Unlike free roam, EventLab gives you predictable lighting conditions every time you start the event.
Understanding Time Progression
One of the most important settings is Time Progression.
Many players overlook this option and wonder why weather or lighting changes during their event.
There are generally two modes:
Rolling Time
When enabled:
- Time continues advancing normally.
- Morning becomes afternoon.
- Afternoon becomes evening.
- Night eventually becomes sunrise.
This behaves similarly to standard free roam.
Fixed Time
When enabled:
- Time remains permanently locked.
- Lighting conditions never change.
- Weather stays consistent.
- Shadows remain stable.
If your goal is permanent nighttime driving, Fixed Time is the best option.
Most players who create photo routes or cinematic driving experiences choose Fixed Time Progression.
Best EventLab Settings For Night Driving
Night driving is one of the most requested weather and time modifications.
Many players enjoy:
- Illuminated highways
- Vehicle headlights
- Neon reflections
- City lighting
- Atmospheric racing
To create permanent nighttime conditions:
Set:
- Time Of Day: Night
- Weather: Clear
- Time Progression: Fixed
Save the blueprint and launch the event.
You can then drive indefinitely under nighttime conditions without waiting for the world cycle to reach night naturally.
Best EventLab Settings For Rain
Rain dramatically changes the visual atmosphere.
Wet roads create:
- Reflections
- Water spray
- Enhanced lighting
- More challenging handling
For rainy driving:
Choose:
- Weather: Rain
- Time Of Day: Evening
- Time Progression: Fixed
This combination creates highly realistic visuals and beautiful reflections across the map.
Best EventLab Settings For Storms
Storm conditions offer some of the most dramatic visuals in the game.
Storm weather includes:
- Dark clouds
- Reduced visibility
- Heavy rain
- Dynamic lighting
Recommended settings:
- Weather: Storm
- Time: Afternoon
- Progression: Fixed
This setup creates an intense racing environment suitable for cinematic gameplay videos.
Best EventLab Settings For Sunrise
Sunrise lighting is extremely popular among photographers.
Benefits include:
- Warm colors
- Long shadows
- Soft lighting
- Beautiful skies
Recommended settings:
- Time Of Day: Dawn
- Weather: Clear
- Progression: Fixed
This provides ideal conditions for vehicle photography.
Best EventLab Settings For Sunset
Many players consider sunset the most beautiful time in Forza Horizon 5.
The environment becomes filled with:
- Orange skies
- Golden light
- Long shadows
- Dramatic reflections
For sunset driving:
Select:
- Time Of Day: Sunset
- Weather: Clear
- Progression: Fixed
This creates a stunning visual experience across nearly every region of Mexico.
Method 2: Download Community Blueprints
Not every player wants to create custom events manually.
Fortunately, the community has created thousands of blueprints that already include customized weather and time settings.
You can download events featuring:
- Permanent night
- Heavy rain
- Sunrise drives
- Sunset cruises
- Foggy roads
- Storm conditions
Accessing Community Blueprints
To find these events:
- Open the Pause Menu.
- Navigate to Creative Hub.
- Select EventLab.
- Open Search.
- Browse available blueprints.
Many creators specifically mention weather and time settings in event descriptions.
Examples include:
- Night Cruise
- Rainy Mexico Drive
- Sunset Highway Run
- Storm Racing Experience
Using community-created content is often the fastest way to experience custom conditions.
Method 3: Use Photo Mode
Photo Mode offers another way to control weather and time.
This method is intended primarily for photography rather than driving.
However, it provides excellent environmental customization options.
Accessing Photo Mode
To enter Photo Mode:
- Pause the game.
- Select Photo Mode.
- Open advanced settings.
Inside Photo Mode, you can adjust:
- Time of day
- Weather conditions
- Exposure
- Contrast
- Brightness
- Camera angles
- Focus depth
These controls allow you to create stunning screenshots regardless of current free roam conditions.
Creating Nighttime Screenshots
To create dramatic night photography:
Set:
- Time: Night
- Exposure: Slightly increased
- Contrast: Moderate
Position the vehicle under city lights or near illuminated roads for maximum effect.
Creating Rain Photography
Rain enhances vehicle reflections significantly.
For rainy screenshots:
- Enable rainy weather
- Lower exposure slightly
- Position vehicle near reflective surfaces
The results often resemble professional automotive photography.
Creating Sunset Photography
Sunset remains one of the most popular photography settings.
Recommended approach:
- Use sunset lighting
- Position sun behind the vehicle
- Increase contrast moderately
- Experiment with camera height
The warm glow often produces spectacular results.
Can You Change Weather Using Horizon Solo?
Some players believe Horizon Solo provides direct weather controls.
This is not entirely accurate.
Horizon Solo allows you to leave online sessions and enter an offline-style environment.
Benefits include:
- Reduced server synchronization
- Less player interference
- Independent world simulation
However:
You still cannot directly select weather or time conditions.
Weather remains dynamic and automatic.
Some players prefer Horizon Solo because environmental changes feel more predictable, but it does not provide manual controls.
Why Weather Appears Different In Various Regions
Forza Horizon 5 includes regional weather systems.
This means conditions vary depending on location.
Examples:
Desert Region
Often experiences:
- Sunshine
- Dust storms
- Dry conditions
Jungle Region
Frequently features:
- Rain
- Fog
- Tropical storms
Coastal Areas
May experience:
- Overcast skies
- Rain showers
- Humidity effects
If you want certain weather conditions naturally, simply traveling to another region may help.
How Long Does Night Last In Forza Horizon 5?
Many players feel nighttime is shorter than daytime.
This is intentional.
The Horizon series prioritizes visibility and gameplay.
As a result:
- Daytime occupies a larger portion of the cycle.
- Nighttime transitions more quickly.
- Sunrise and sunset occur relatively fast.
Because of this design, EventLab remains the preferred solution for players who want extended nighttime driving.
Can You Freeze Weather Permanently?
During normal free roam:
No.
Weather cannot be permanently frozen.
However, within EventLab:
Yes.
Using Fixed Weather and Fixed Time settings effectively locks environmental conditions for the duration of the event.
This is the closest thing to permanent weather control currently available.
Why Players Want Weather Control
Weather customization serves many purposes.
Photography
Different conditions create unique visual styles.
Content Creation
YouTubers often require specific lighting.
Roleplaying
Some players enjoy realistic night drives.
Drifting
Wet roads can change vehicle behavior.
Exploration
Different weather reveals new scenery.
Because of these benefits, custom environmental settings remain among the most popular EventLab features.
Common Mistakes When Changing Weather
Many players accidentally configure settings incorrectly.
Common mistakes include:
Forgetting Fixed Time
Result:
Time continues progressing.
Saving Incorrect Blueprint
Result:
Custom settings fail to load.
Using Existing Events
Result:
Creator settings override personal preferences.
Confusing Photo Mode With Gameplay
Result:
Weather changes only affect screenshots rather than actual driving.
Double-checking settings before launching events helps avoid these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change weather instantly in free roam?
No. Weather changes automatically in standard free roam and cannot be manually controlled.
Can I make it permanently night?
Yes. Create an EventLab blueprint using Night time and Fixed progression settings.
Can I drive freely during a custom EventLab event?
Yes. Many players simply ignore checkpoints and explore the map while enjoying custom weather conditions.
Can I use custom weather online?
Not in regular Horizon Life free roam. Custom weather settings are primarily available through EventLab events and blueprints.
What is the best weather for photography?
Most players prefer:
- Sunset
- Sunrise
- Rain
- Clear night
These conditions provide the most dramatic lighting and reflections.
Final Thoughts
Forza Horizon 5 delivers one of the most advanced weather and lighting systems ever seen in an open-world racing game. While the game does not allow players to instantly change weather or time during normal free roam, several powerful customization tools make it possible to create nearly any environmental conditions you want.
EventLab remains the best solution because it allows complete control over weather types, time of day, and progression settings. Whether you want permanent nighttime cruising, dramatic thunderstorms, foggy mountain roads, beautiful sunrises, or perfect sunset photography, custom blueprints and EventLab events provide the flexibility needed to transform the world of Mexico into your ideal driving environment.
