ARC Raiders is Bringing Back the Cold Snap, Here’s When

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Embark Studios announced that the popular Cold Snap map modifier will return to ARC Raiders on February 10th. While some details are still secret, Cold Snap is a special modifier – called a ‘condition’ in the game – that dramatically changes the Rustbelt environment by adding freezing temperatures and a lot of snow. ARC Raiders uses modifiers like this to affect what loot players find and how the game plays.

A popular feature called Cold Snap will be returning, bringing back the challenging frostbite mechanic that many dedicated players loved. When exploring snowy areas, characters will slowly freeze, losing health over time. This added a layer of strategy to exploration, making it more than just running around – something fans of the genre really enjoyed. Soon, players will once again be able to experience these harsh conditions.

ARC Raiders’ Cold Snap Re-release Date Revealed

Embark Studios announced on X that the ‘Cold Snap’ weather condition will be back in the regular rotation for ARC Raiders on February 10th. First added in the December 2025 1.7.0 update, Cold Snap brought snowy weather to the game. It was originally a limited-time event that ended in January 2026.

Some players had predicted the issue would reappear, noting a recent update to the game ARC Raiders. The update’s roadmap mentioned that while the initial problem, called ‘The Cold Snap,’ had ended, its effects would still be felt. It also hinted at ongoing challenges with severe weather impacting players as they search for supplies to maintain their base, Speranza.

Although some players wondered why it was taken out initially, most of the community is happy it’s back. One Reddit user expressed a common feeling, stating, “I believe having more varied maps is a good thing,” and many others agreed.

It’s still unknown if the Cold Snap weather effect will stick around permanently, or if players will still be able to find Candleberries within it.

The Upcoming February Update Is Still Expected to Add a New Condition

So, when I heard Cold Snap was coming back, a lot of us in the community started wondering if that was the new map condition Embark talked about in their Escalation roadmap. They’ve already said a new modifier is dropping with the Shrouded Sky update in February, and we got a little worried that maybe they were bringing back Cold Snap instead of giving us something totally new. It felt like a bait and switch, you know?

However, it’s important to remember that the Shrouded Sky update isn’t out yet. The return of Cold Snap seems to be a straightforward update to add more variety to the existing maps in ARC Raiders, not a completely new addition. It’s also doubtful that Embark Studios would re-release an old game mode and claim it’s new.

Fans Keep Speculating About the Next Major Map Condition

Image via Embark Studios

Now that the Cold Snap weather event is happening again, players are wondering what the next big change to the game’s map will be. In the past, some files hinting at a “Toxic Swamps” condition were found, and many thought it would be added with the January update for ARC Raiders. However, that didn’t happen, and Embark Studios hasn’t officially confirmed if Toxic Swamps is even planned.

Besides the frostbite theory, many players are also hoping the game will add volcanoes. This idea comes from the game’s map, which shows a volcanic area that players can’t currently reach. It’s unclear if these features will actually be added, but players who want more challenging environments can revisit the Cold Snap map with its winter weather starting February 10th.

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2026-02-08 01:05