Ambient weather

The orbs shift in color and behavior based on what's happening outside my window. It's a small thing, but it connects this digital space to the physical world I'm sitting in while you're reading.

How it works

Weather data comes from a cached API that updates hourly. The site checks conditions when you load the page and applies effects accordingly.

Time of day

Sunrise and sunset times are calculated for Saint Paul. During golden hour, the orbs pulse with warm orange and pink. At night, they shift to cooler tones based on the current moon phase.

Moon phases

At night, the orbs brighten or dim based on how much of the moon is illuminated. A new moon means darker, more subtle orbs. A full moon means brighter, more visible ones. The phase is calculated astronomically, not from an API.

Weather conditions

• Clear — warm golden tones during the day
• Cloudy — muted grays with a gentle pulse
• Rain — blue-gray tones with diagonal streaks
• Snow — white particles drifting down
• Fog — heavy blur, soft grays
• Storm — occasional lightning flashes
• Wind — horizontal drift animation

Effects fade out after a few seconds so they don't distract from reading. The orbs remain as a subtle reminder of what's happening outside.