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The ascii things are more a matter of preference. I wouldn't play a game that had them every time I typed "weather." I'm a text kinda gal, and would prefer a textual description of the weather.
A gentle breeze wafts in from the west.
A harsh sandstorm fills the air, swirling in a clockwise pattern.
Torrential rain falls in sheets, mixed with high winds blowing to the southeast.
Stuff like that. Tell me where the wind's coming from, tell me what it's like where I am right now, and maybe tell me if I can at least see where I'm going, if I were to step one or two rooms from my current position.
Just as in real life, I have no idea whether the road is flooded at the end of my street. But, I do know it's raining there. So I can make an educated guess based on the fact that I've experienced this kind of weather in this neighborhood for the past four years. I can decide if I want to risk getting stuck in a flooded road - or if there isn't any risk because it isn't raining hard enough.
If I had just moved in (if I'm a noob), I'd have only basic info, and personal logic to go by. Raining hard here, 2 rooms on a decline toward a valley, hm. Possible flood. I'll stay on high ground til the rain slows, or try to detour around instead of going straight through.
I like it when the text descriptions and echoes tell me the story, and let me add the images in my own mind. Maps are another matter entirely - gimme Visio or give me death!
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