Forecast Channel

Forecast Channel
Type	Pre-installed
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Platform(s)	Wii Channels
Release date(s)	JP/NA/EU/AUS December 19, 2006
Genre(s)	Utility
Input methods	Wii Remote
Compatibility	5 Perfect
GameIDs	HAFA01, HAFP01, HAFJ01, HAFE01
See also...	Dolphin Forum thread Open Issues Search Google Search Wikipedia

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). 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.

Emulation Information

Shut Down

This channel's original online functionality has been shut down as of June 28, 2013 and works in neither Dolphin or on Wii hardware.

WiiConnect24 Revival Services

Both RiiConnect24 and WiiLink can provide WiiConnect24 support in Dolphin through a variety of means. As of 5.0-19724, users can automatically redirect to use the WiiLink service in Dolphin without needing to patch channels or manually download VFF files outside of the emulator. This can be enabled in `Options -> Configuration -> Wii` under the "Enable WiiConnect24 via WiiLink" setting.

Stale VFF Files

As of 5.0-17613, Dolphin now supports downloading VFF files from WiiConnect24 services just like a real Wii. This allows users to connect to services like RiiConnect24 and WiiLink without the need for a VFF Downloader. Users that have previous used a VFF downloader may need to delete old VFF files before the new services will work. This is because VFF files downloaded with some revisions of the VFF downloader have been hacked to never expire, so the emulated system will never attempt to download new ones.

Support on Older Dolphin Versions

Prior to 5.0-17613 some WiiConnect24 channels can still be made to work through the use of a VFF Downloader. There is a program that RiiConnect24 made as a workaround to download the latest weather data regularly. See this tutorial for more details.

Problems

Wii Menu Crashes Loading Forecast Channel's Banner

The Wii Menu crashes when loading Forecast Channel's banner. This is a problem with the Wii Menu; more info here. Resolved with 5.0-3147.

Configuration

This channel does not need non-default settings to run properly.

Version Compatibility

The graph below charts the compatibility with Forecast Channel since Dolphin's 2.0 release, listing revisions only where a compatibility change occurred.

2.0

5.0-2877

Δ

5.0-20623 (current)

Δ

Δ

Δ

Δ

Δ

2.0 (r5384)

Compatibility can be assumed to align with the indicated revisions. However, compatibility may extend to prior revisions or compatibility gaps may exist within ranges indicated as compatible due to limited testing. Please update as appropriate.

Testing

This channel has been tested on the environments listed below:

Test Entries
Revision	OS	CPU	GPU	Result	Tester
5.0-2877	Windows 7	Intel Celeron G1610 @2.6 GHz	Intel HD Graphics	Well, it started, but since the service was shut down i don't know how many stars should i put to it. It ran the same on my wii. "Unable to get latest information."	EblfIYH
5.0-5033	macOS	Intel Core i5 @ 2.7 GHz	Intel Iris Pro	If you copy over the VFF from a Wii that has RiiConnect24, it works perfectly.	Larsenv

Gameplay Videos

RiiConnect24 Forecast Channel (Canada)

RiiConnect24 Forecast Channel (United States)