|
Post by j2starshine on Jan 11, 2012 13:04:42 GMT -5
Hi guys, I want the worlds I create to be realistic. Especially when it comes down to land formation and the cause and effect on weather patterns, etc. but sometimes that has gotten over my head. I really can't be an expert in geology, meteorology, astronomy, etc...and how can we really know if the conditions are right for a sandstorm or a flooding river at the start of a wet season and whether this is all happening at the right time. This also affects the times people would travel, how they travel and conduct their businesses whether a farmer or merchant or skilled tradesmen. Argh... Is there some software program where we can enter all our data: land formations, sun, moon(s), equator, etc and it spit out possible types of weather patterns? Perhaps I'm asking too much... I did ask my husband, a computer programmer, if it would be too hard to create something like that, but he just looked at me and was like, what? so that said, I was wondering, do you guys struggle with this? Am I making mountains out of mole hills? I want the story to be believable...I could just have the weather oddities be something to do with the sorceress casting a spell To be honest, I'm not sure if I've ever thought about this when I'm reading a fantasy novel, have you? So...maybe this isn't such a big deal??? j2
|
|
|
Post by myrthman on Jan 11, 2012 16:29:27 GMT -5
These are important details and will have an impact on your characters; however, normal weather would go mostly unnoticed by them. Catastrophic or magical weather events would garner their attention and may affect choices they make in the story.
What if you just found an area on the globe that's similar in physical formations to the setting of a particular scene and check weather.com for that day's forecast? Then you'll have an idea in case a character should take time to notice. Writing the out-of-ordinary weather events would then become something you could spend more time on and would really serve to move the plot along.
In general, I would say sand storms are fairly common in a desert area (like tornadoes in Kansas and monsoons in western India). They do require some immediate or quick response and/or preparation (like caves, storm shelters, and houses on stilts, respectively) but people who live in those environments are "used" to them. If a sand storm were to happen on a beach, though, then you've got something really phenomenal. Also, if a sailor character is traveling through the desert, the daily mid-afternoon sand storm that most in the area are accustomed to would be a pretty major event.
|
|
|
Post by Kessie on Jan 11, 2012 18:49:25 GMT -5
The only program I know of that comes close is Fractal Terrains: www.profantasy.com/products/ft.aspIt generates a map and you can arrange the climates and stuff yourself. There's a 30-day trial version that you can mess around with. I think Myrth's suggestion about looking at the weather on weather.com is a great idea. Also, if you're writing about an unfamiliar climate (like a rainforest), just look up that climate on wikipedia or somewhere and do some research. My worlds have whatever the heck weather that I want, and the characters just have to deal with it. It usually varies more by season, though. If I say that it's winter, then the characters might deal with snow or rain or ice, and go around bundled up. You know, the sort of thing a reader might expect. The real stumper for me has always been writing about a floating island the size of a small continent, and how that effects the local weather. I've gotten up to some real weather shenanigans with that sucker.
|
|
|
Post by myrthman on Jan 11, 2012 23:11:43 GMT -5
Kessie, is your floating island adrift on the currents of the sea?
|
|
|
Post by Kessie on Jan 12, 2012 19:55:46 GMT -5
Myrth: Nope, it floats. Generally about a mile above the ground, depending on the Guardian's reclusiveness that day. It can float in the water, though. It's powered by magic. :-D
|
|
|
Post by j2starshine on Jan 14, 2012 20:04:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I will check out the weather.com thing. I've tried wikipedia and other searches about some areas that could be similar but didn't think about weather.com. I will also have to check out that website. It's an epic fantasy quest, so they are traveling across different terrains and I'm trying to make sure that these weather happenings will be seasonal appropriate. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by tris on Jan 20, 2012 13:26:22 GMT -5
J2, Weather patterns are pretty similar worldwide, even if you go from coastal to mountainous. The time of year may differ depending if you're in the northern or southern hemisphere. But unless you plan on having a snow storm in the desert, I don't think you need to go into panic mode in regards to the weather.
Especially if you're writing fantasy. Any unusual weather can be chalked up to the supernatural. and even cold climes can have a warm day and vice versa for warm climes having a cold day. It happens.
Take Quito, Ecuador for instance. Two miles up in the Andes mountains. Cool temps year round. However, early morning, it's frigid (although not freezing). By afternoon you need short sleeves. Night is cold unless there's cloud cover, then it's warm.
Also unless the weather is pertinent to the story/plot line you really don't even need to mention it...much. If there's a cool wind, have them put on a jacket. or take one off if it gets warm. It's your fantasy world, so really you can create whatever weather whenever you want to inflict it on your folks. As for seasons, again it's fantasy. So what if your world is tropical and temps never fall below 70 year round.
The other thing is just ask here on the forum. I'm sure there's enough of us scattered around that if you have a specific weather question, we could get you an answer quickly. Blessings, Tris
|
|
|
Post by j2starshine on Jan 23, 2012 15:06:57 GMT -5
Thanks tris! So, in the norther hemisphere, if it is winter in the plains and we move due east, cross the mountains and encounter a desert, and then another mountain chain into a jungle, would it be ok to have the jungle be in a dry season? cuz in book two, my characters are coming out of the jungle into a flat plain following a river and realizes it is a riverbed. there is a huge rainstorm, flood (start of wet season?) that fill up the riverbed that is maybe a mile wide. Is this believable? Perhaps, I'm making mole hills into mountains thanks again!
|
|
|
Post by tris on Jan 23, 2012 18:47:15 GMT -5
Actually J2 your jungle would be in the wet season if it's in the northern hemisphere , hence lots of cold rain and flash floods. If it were in the southern hemi you could get away with a hot dry season. check out Costa Rica weather patterns for more specifics. But I think it would be believable to have your flash flood and rainstorm. (And if anyone throws a fit, make it a supernatural happening...after all this is a fantasy, right?
|
|