The Rust Belt is about to get a lot more dangerous, as Embark Studios has confirmed that the Shrouded Sky update for Arc Raiders will officially launch on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Being the second major drop in the “Escalation” roadmap, this free content update introduces the Hurricane map condition, a new aerial ARC threat, and the long-awaited addition of character beards. Since Embark typically deploys patches during a specific global window, we’ve broken down exactly when the storm hits your region.
What Time Does Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky Release in Your Region?
While Embark Studios occasionally adjusts the exact minute based on server maintenance, Arc Raiders updates historically go live at 1:30 AM PT / 4:30 AM ET / 9:30 AM GMT / 10:30 AM CET. We’ advise also keeping a close eye on the official Arc Raiders X account.
| Region | Release Date | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| West US (Los Angeles) | February 24, 2026 | 1:30 AM PST |
| East US (New York) | February 24, 2026 | 4:30 AM EST |
| UK (London) | February 24, 2026 | 9:30 AM GMT |
| Central Europe (Berlin) | February 24, 2026 | 10:30 AM CET |
| Japan (Tokyo) | February 24, 2026 | 6:30 PM JST |
| Australia (Sydney) | February 24, 2026 | 8:30 PM AEDT |
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky Countdown Clock
If you’re not sure where your time zone fits with the above regions, then check out our handy countdown clock below to see exactly when Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky launches in your region:
What’s in the Shrouded Sky Update?
Shrouded Sky isn't just a cosmetic patch – it brings much more than that. For example, it fundamentally changes how you navigate the surface. Here is the breakdown of the most exciting additions, as a per information from an Arc Raiders blog post published earlier in February.
The Hurricane Map Condition
The "Shrouded" in the title refers to a new Hurricane weather system that will rotate through the Rust Belt. "Use the conditions to avoid conflict or to gain the upper hand. The true masters of the Hurricane will be those who work with it, not against it," say the devs on their blog.
- Wind Physics: Wind now affects your movement. Running with a tailwind makes you faster, but pushing against the gale will rapidly drain your stamina.
- Projectile Chaos: Grenades, smoke, and gas will drift with the wind, meaning you’ll need to lead your throws to account for the storm.
- Shield Interference: High-velocity debris will cause your shields to spark and glitch. This doesn't just lower your protection, as the sparks will make you much more visible to other Raiders in the low-visibility fog.
New Threats, Options, and Rewards
In addition to nasty weather, Shrouded Sky brings several new toys and rewards:
- Aerial ARC Unit: Teasers have pointed toward a new flying ARC machine that exploits the low visibility of the storm to ambush squads.
- First Wave Caches: The high winds have reportedly unearthed "Raider Caches" from the First Wave. These are rare, limited-time loot drops found only in areas affected by the Hurricane.
- Raider Customization: The "Shrouded Chin" update is finally here. You can now equip beards in the customization menu.
- New Instrument: A playable Piano has been teased, though unlike the guitar, you’ll likely need to find one stationary in the world to play it.
How to Prepare for the Update
There is typically a 1 to 2-hour maintenance window starting shortly before the times we listed above. Best practice is to set your client to auto-update, as the Shrouded Sky patch is expected to be roughly 6 to 8 GB.
If you are caught mid-expedition when the maintenance begins, you will be forcibly extracted, so keep an eye on the in-game "System Broadcast" messages starting around 1:00 AM PST / 9:00 AM GMT / 10:00 AM CET. When the time comes, it’s best to extract and leave the game in good order, letting your client update and wait out the server maintenance period.
