Forecast Channel

The Forecast Channel allows weather reports and forecasts to be downloaded onto the console from the Internet via the WiiConnect24 service. The Forecast Channel displays a view of the Earth as a globe (courtesy of NASA), with which users can view weather in other regions. The user can also spin the globe. When fully zoomed out, an accurate star map is visible in the background (the Big Dipper and the constellation Orion are easily recognizable, for example). The Forecast Channel features include the current forecast, the UV index, today's overall forecast, tomorrow's forecast, a 5-day forecast (only for the selected country), and a laundry check (Japan only). The Forecast Channel first became available on December 19, 2006, one day earlier than previously advertised. Certain games (like Madden NFL 07 and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams) can use the Forecast Channel to simulate weather conditions depending on the player's region.