Dynamic ground effects

[HagarTheHorrible]

Already mentioned in "Will more work be done on the snow map" but just thought I would put it in a more formal, better place.

 

When the wind blows I would expect to see more dynamic effects to the landscape such as gusting or blowing snow scudding across the ground, a dynamic effect in much the same manner as you might get mist or fog on non snowy maps. As with mist, I think it would add an element of dynamism to the map and also give an indication of wind and direction, if partially obscuring the ground, I also think it would look something similar to the blowing snow from the prop blast of aircraft on the ground.

 

Imagine, if you will, taking off in good conditions, you fly en-route to the target and the weather gradually deteriorates with light gusting snow along the ground, possibly helping to obscure ground targets and navigation points maybe gradually getting worse as the wind strength increases.  Do you continue, or do you abort the mission and hope the weather hasn't deteriorated so much that navigation and finding home is almost impossible

[=VARP=Cygann]

This is a great idea given that it does not kill server performance. 

 

After all those effects are bound to physics calculations to be made believable. I'd rather not have them then to have badly implemented half solution when it comes to this.

 

But having conditions change during mission sound very interesting. At least noticeable weather change could be done for longer flights since weather is already modeled.

[Rjel]

I'm not a programmer but from appearances alone, would the same type of effect that creates the wispier clouds be as doable for blowing snow? They don't seem to have any effect on framerate. I agree with the OP, that on overcast, snowy days, this could be an incredibly immersive effect. I'd like to see the snow cover have real depth associated with it too. As development continues with this series, hopefully some of this could be incorporated into the sim.    

[LuftManu]

That is a very good idea, I really like it, it will add a lot of immersion, along with mist, those effects, will really help the looks of the landcsape.

And also if they are influenced with the Wind in the mission = top notch