diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md
index bef6808..f65ba33 100644
--- a/ROADMAP.md
+++ b/ROADMAP.md
@@ -2,13 +2,10 @@
 
 ## Required for Beta
 - Write helpful README
-- Refactor skybox effect and implement ranking system
 - Rework Moon Phases mod to be compatible and to include varying sky brightness
 
 ## Planned for first release
-- Set effects on player join
 - Improve value structures of particle effects
-- Make sounds adjust to changes by weather presets
 - Find good values for weather conditions
 - Write documentation on how to add weathers and effects
 - Ability to register global influences that are the same for any position
@@ -16,10 +13,8 @@
 ## Nice to have
 - Assign meta data (like "downfall", "wind", etc.) to weather presets
 - Optimize performance by replacing some particles with animated texture planes
-- Make switches between effects more smooth
 - Adjust size of particle boxes based on player speed
 - Generate wind based on speed and yaw instead of x and z values
-- A flag indicating wind direction
 
 ## Future Plans & Ideas
 - Complete season system
@@ -46,4 +41,5 @@
 	- swimming will cool down
 	- standing near fire will warm up
 	- craftable warm clothes
-	- metal armor will worsen heat issues
\ No newline at end of file
+	- metal armor will worsen heat issues
+- A flag indicating wind direction
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ca_effects/skybox.lua b/ca_effects/skybox.lua
index 08e9e5c..bce8b78 100644
--- a/ca_effects/skybox.lua
+++ b/ca_effects/skybox.lua
@@ -1,45 +1,31 @@
 if not climate_mod.settings.skybox then return end
 
 local EFFECT_NAME = "climate_api:skybox"
-local modpath = minetest.get_modpath(minetest.get_current_modname())
-local sky_defaults = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/sky_defaults.lua")
 
-local function set_skybox(player, sky)
-	if not player.get_stars then return end
-	player:set_sky(sky.sky_data)
-	player:set_clouds(sky.cloud_data)
-	player:set_moon(sky.moon_data)
-	player:set_sun(sky.sun_data)
-	player:set_stars(sky.star_data)
-end
-
-local function remove_skybox(player)
-	if not player.get_stars then return end
-	player:set_sky(sky_defaults.sky_data)
-	player:set_clouds(sky_defaults.cloud_data)
-	player:set_moon(sky_defaults.moon_data)
-	player:set_sun(sky_defaults.sun_data)
-	player:set_stars(sky_defaults.star_data)
-end
-
-local function handle_effect(player_data)
-	for playername, data in pairs(player_data) do
-		local player = minetest.get_player_by_name(playername)
-		local sky = table.copy(sky_defaults)
-		for weather, value in pairs(data) do
-			sky = climate_api.utility.merge_tables(sky, value)
+local function handle_effect(player_data, prev_data)
+	for playername, data in pairs(prev_data) do
+		for weather, _ in pairs(data) do
+			if player_data[playername] == nil or player_data[playername][weather] == nil then
+				climate_api.skybox.remove_layer(playername, weather)
+			end
 		end
-		set_skybox(player, sky)
+	end
+	for playername, data in pairs(player_data) do
+		for weather, value in pairs(data) do
+			climate_api.skybox.add_layer(playername, weather, value)
+		end
+		climate_api.skybox.update_skybox(playername)
 	end
 end
 
 local function remove_effect(player_data)
 	for playername, data in pairs(player_data) do
-		local player = minetest.get_player_by_name(playername)
-		remove_skybox(player)
+		for weather, _ in pairs(data) do
+			climate_api.skybox.remove_layer(playername, weather)
+		end
 	end
 end
 
 climate_api.register_effect(EFFECT_NAME, handle_effect, "tick")
 climate_api.register_effect(EFFECT_NAME, remove_effect, "stop")
---climate_api.set_effect_cycle("climate_api:skybox", climate_api.LONG_CYCLE)
\ No newline at end of file
+climate_api.set_effect_cycle("climate_api:skybox", climate_api.MEDIUM_CYCLE)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index a7e6f81..cf8eec7 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ climate_mod.settings = {
 	wind						= get_setting_bool("wind", true),
 	seasons					= get_setting_bool("seasons", true),
 	fahrenheit			= get_setting_bool("fahrenheit", false),
+	block_updates		= get_setting_bool("block_updates", true),
 	heat						= get_setting_number("heat_base", 0),
 	humidity				= get_setting_number("humidity_base", 0),
 	time_spread			= get_setting_number("time_spread", 1),
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ climate_mod.forced_wind = nil
 climate_mod.state = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/datastorage.lua")
 climate_api = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/api.lua")
 climate_api.utility = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/api_utility.lua")
+climate_api.skybox = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/skybox_merger.lua")
 dofile(modpath .. "/lib/influences.lua")
 climate_api.environment = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/environment.lua")
 --climate_api = dofile(modpath .. "/lib/influences.lua")
diff --git a/lib/api.lua b/lib/api.lua
index afc4b16..f799ad6 100644
--- a/lib/api.lua
+++ b/lib/api.lua
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ function api.register_influence(name, func)
 end
 
 function api.register_abm(config)
+	if not climate_mod.settings.block_updates then return end
+
 	local conditions = config.conditions
 	local action = config.action
 	local pos_override = config.pos_override
diff --git a/lib/environment.lua b/lib/environment.lua
index 3a8d2ee..9330352 100644
--- a/lib/environment.lua
+++ b/lib/environment.lua
@@ -5,13 +5,6 @@ local function get_heat_time()
 	return climate_api.utility.normalized_cycle(time) * 0.6 + 0.7
 end
 
-local function get_heat_calendar()
-	-- heat center in August instead of June
-	local day = minetest.get_day_count()
-	local progression = ((day + 61) % 365) / 365
-	return climate_api.utility.normalized_cycle(progression) * 0.6 + 0.7
-end
-
 local function get_heat_height(y)
 	return climate_api.utility.rangelim((-y + 10) / 15, -10, 10)
 end
@@ -21,9 +14,8 @@ function environment.get_heat(pos)
 	local biome = minetest.get_heat(pos)
 	local height = get_heat_height(pos.y)
 	local time = get_heat_time()
-	local date = get_heat_calendar()
 	local random = climate_mod.state:get_float("heat_random");
-	return (base + biome + height) * time * date * random
+	return (base + biome + height) * time * random
 end
 
 function environment.get_humidity(pos)
diff --git a/lib/sky_defaults.lua b/lib/sky_defaults.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 0f37578..0000000
--- a/lib/sky_defaults.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-return {
-	sky_data = {
-		base_color = nil,
-		type = "regular",
-		textures = nil,
-		clouds = true,
-		sky_color = {
-			day_sky = "#8cbafa",
-			day_horizon = "#9bc1f0",
-			dawn_sky = "#b4bafa",
-			dawn_horizon = "#bac1f0",
-			night_sky = "#006aff",
-			night_horizon = "#4090ff",
-			indoors = "#646464",
-			fog_tint_type = "default"
-		}
-	},
-	cloud_data = {
-		density = 0.4,
-		color = "#fff0f0e5",
-		ambient = "#000000",
-		height = 120,
-		thickness = 16,
-		speed = {x=0, z=-2}
-	},
-	sun_data = {
-		visible = true,
-		texture = "sun.png",
-		tonemap = "sun_tonemap.png",
-		sunrise = "sunrisebg.png",
-		sunrise_visible = true,
-		scale = 1
-	},
-	moon_data = {
-		visible = true,
-		texture = "moon.png",
-		tonemap = "moon_tonemap.png",
-		scale = 1
-	},
-	star_data = {
-		visible = true,
-		count = 1000,
-		star_color = "#ebebff69",
-		scale = 1
-	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/skybox_merger.lua b/lib/skybox_merger.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4da1afd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/skybox_merger.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+local default_sky = {
+	sky_data = {
+		base_color = nil,
+		type = "regular",
+		textures = nil,
+		clouds = true,
+		sky_color = {
+			day_sky = "#8cbafa",
+			day_horizon = "#9bc1f0",
+			dawn_sky = "#b4bafa",
+			dawn_horizon = "#bac1f0",
+			night_sky = "#006aff",
+			night_horizon = "#4090ff",
+			indoors = "#646464",
+			fog_tint_type = "default"
+		}
+	},
+	cloud_data = {
+		density = 0.4,
+		color = "#fff0f0e5",
+		ambient = "#000000",
+		height = 120,
+		thickness = 16,
+		speed = {x=0, z=-2}
+	},
+	sun_data = {
+		visible = true,
+		texture = "",
+		tonemap = "sun_tonemap.png",
+		sunrise = "sunrisebg.png",
+		sunrise_visible = true,
+		scale = 1
+	},
+	moon_data = {
+		visible = true,
+		texture = "",
+		tonemap = "moon_tonemap.png",
+		scale = 1
+	},
+	star_data = {
+		visible = true,
+		count = 1000,
+		star_color = "#ebebff69",
+		scale = 1
+	}
+}
+
+local skybox = {}
+local layers = {}
+
+-- from https://stackoverflow.com/a/29133654
+-- merges two tables together
+-- if in conflict, b will override values of a
+local function merge_tables(a, b)
+	if type(a) == "table" and type(b) == "table" then
+		for k,v in pairs(b) do
+			if type(v)=="table" and type(a[k] or false)=="table" then
+				merge_tables(a[k],v)
+			else a[k]=v end
+		end
+	end
+	return a
+end
+
+local function set_skybox(playername, sky)
+	local player = minetest.get_player_by_name(playername)
+	if not player.get_stars then return end
+	player:set_sky(sky.sky_data)
+	player:set_clouds(sky.cloud_data)
+	player:set_moon(sky.moon_data)
+	player:set_sun(sky.sun_data)
+	player:set_stars(sky.star_data)
+end
+
+function skybox.update_skybox(playername)
+	local p_layers = layers[playername]
+	local sky = table.copy(default_sky)
+	if p_layers == nil then p_layers = {} end
+	local numbered_layers = {}
+	for layer, values in pairs(p_layers) do
+		table.insert(numbered_layers, values)
+	end
+	table.sort(numbered_layers, function(left, right)
+		if left.priority == nil then left.priority = 1 end
+		if right.priority == nil then right.priority = 1 end
+		return left.priority < right.priority
+	end)
+	for i=1,#numbered_layers do
+		sky = merge_tables(sky, numbered_layers[i])
+	end
+	set_skybox(playername, sky)
+end
+
+function skybox.add_layer(playername, name, sky)
+	if layers[playername] == nil then layers[playername] = {} end
+	layers[playername][name] = sky
+end
+
+function skybox.remove_layer(playername, name)
+	if layers[playername] == nil or layers[playername][name] == nil then return end
+	layers[playername][name] = nil
+end
+
+minetest.register_on_leaveplayer(function(player)
+	local playername = player:get_player_name()
+	layers[playername] = nil
+end)
+
+return skybox
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/world.lua b/lib/world.lua
index 7419e97..7763cc4 100644
--- a/lib/world.lua
+++ b/lib/world.lua
@@ -2,11 +2,11 @@ local world = {}
 
 local WIND_SPREAD = 600
 local WIND_SCALE = 2
-local HEAT_SPREAD = 200
+local HEAT_SPREAD = 400
 local HEAT_SCALE = 0.3
-local HUMIDITY_SPREAD = 60
+local HUMIDITY_SPREAD = 150
 local HUMIDITY_SCALE = 0.5
-local HUMIDITY_BASE_SPREAD = 600
+local HUMIDITY_BASE_SPREAD = 800
 local HUMIDITY_BASE_SCALE = 40
 
 local nobj_wind_x
diff --git a/screenshot.2.png b/screenshot.2.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 71a55b1..0000000
Binary files a/screenshot.2.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/screenshot.3.png b/screenshot.3.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 2f3c7a8..0000000
Binary files a/screenshot.3.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/settingtypes.txt b/settingtypes.txt
index 2ec012a..f5c1c5f 100644
--- a/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/settingtypes.txt
@@ -1,13 +1,62 @@
+[Features]
+
+# If set to true, weather effects (like rain) are allowed to render particles.
+# Deactivating this feature will prevent some presets from being visible.
+# For performance considerations it is recommended to decrease the amount of particles instead.
 climate_api_particles (Show particle effects) bool true
-climate_api_skybox (Allow weather effects to modify the skybox) bool true
-climate_api_sound (Allow weather presets to play ambient sounds) bool true
-climate_api_hud_overlay (Allow weather presets to display a HUD overlay) bool true
-climate_api_wind (Allow wind to angle rainfall) bool true
-climate_api_seasons (Change global temperature based on an annual cycle) bool true
+
+# If set to true, weather effects are allowed to modify a player's sky.
+# This includes skybox, sun, moon, and clouds (also used for fog effects).
+# Running this mod on Minetest 5.1.2 or earlier versions will automatically disable this feature.
+climate_api_skybox (Override the skybox) bool true
+
+# If set to true, weather effects are allowed to play sound loops.
+# You can also adjust sound levels instead of deactivating this feature completely.
+# Setting this value to false will be slightly more performant than setting the volume to zero.
+climate_api_sound (Play ambient sound loops) bool true
+
+# If set to true, weather effects are allowed to render an image on top of the gameplay.
+# This is usually an optional effect used to increase immersion (like a frozen-over camera in a snow storm).
+climate_api_hud_overlay (Display HUD overlays) bool true
+
+# If set to true, weather packs are allowed to register node update handlers.
+# These can be used to dynamically place snow layers, melt ice, or hydrate soil.
+climate_api_block_updates (Dynamically modify nodes) bool true
+
+
+[Environment]
+
+# This value will be added to all biome's base temperatures before applying random modifiers.
+# Every unit here will increase the global base heat by one degree Fahrenheit.
+# Negative values will cool down global base heat respectively.
 climate_api_heat_base (Global base temperature) float 0
+
+# This value will be added to all biome's base humidity before applying random modifiers.
+# Every unit here will increase the global base humidity by one percent.
+# Negative values will dry up global base humidity respectively.
 climate_api_humidity_base (Global base humidity) float 0
-climate_api_time_spread (Regulates how quickly the weather changes) float 1 0.1 10
-climate_api_particle_count (Multiplicator for used particles) float 1 0.1 2
-climate_api_fahrenheit (Show degrees in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius) bool false
+
+# This value regulates how quickly environment factors like heat, humidity and wind are changing.
+# A value of 2 will double the speed at which weather presets change.
+# A value of 0.5 will half the speed respectively.
+climate_api_time_spread (Time rate of weather changes) float 1 0.1 10
+
+# This value regulates how often weather presets are recalculated.
+# Higher values will result in smoother transitions between effects as well as faster response times to traveling players.
+# Lower values will significantly increase overall performance at the cost of rougher looking effects.
 climate_api_tick_speed (Update speed of weather effects) float 1 0.1 10
-climate_api_volume (Volume of sound effects) float 1 0 10
\ No newline at end of file
+
+
+[Preferences]
+
+# This value regulated how many particles will be spawned.
+# A value of 1 will use the recommended amount of particles.
+# Lower values can possible increase performance.
+climate_api_particle_count (Multiplicator for used particles) float 1 0.1 2
+
+# If set to true, temperature information in /weather command will be displayed in Fahrenheit.
+climate_api_fahrenheit (Show degrees in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius) bool false
+
+# This value regulates overall sound volume.
+# A value of 2 will double the volume whereas a value of 0.5 will reduce the volume by half.
+climate_api_volume (Volume of sound effects) float 1 0 10