Describing Weather: Nouns
| Weather noun | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sunshine | bright light from the sun |
| rain | water falling from clouds |
| drizzle | very light rain |
| shower | short burst of rain |
| storm | heavy rain + wind |
| thunderstorm | storm with thunder and lightning |
| thunder | loud booming sound during a storm |
| lightning | flash of electricity during a storm |
| fog | thick, low cloud at ground level |
| mist | light, thin fog |
| snow | frozen water falling as flakes |
| hail | frozen rain falling as small ice balls |
| frost | ice crystals forming on surfaces in cold weather |
| breeze | gentle wind |
| gust | sudden strong burst of wind |
| drought | long period without rain |
| flood | overflow of water onto normally dry land |
Weather Adjectives
| Adjective | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sunny | bright, with sunlight |
| cloudy | covered in clouds |
| overcast | completely covered by grey clouds |
| windy | with strong wind |
| breezy | with a gentle, pleasant wind |
| foggy | hard to see because of fog |
| icy | covered in ice |
| humid | warm and moist/damp |
| mild | pleasantly warm, not cold |
| freezing | extremely cold |
| scorching | extremely hot |
| showery | with occasional short showers |
Common Weather Phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| It's raining cats and dogs. | It's raining very heavily. |
| The weather is turning. | The weather is changing. |
| It looks like rain. | The sky suggests rain is coming. |
| There's a chill in the air. | It feels slightly cold. |
| The fog is clearing. | The fog is disappearing. |
In English, we usually say "It is…" for weather: It is sunny. It is snowing. It was foggy.
Real world: a weather forecast
"Tomorrow will be overcast with scattered showers in the morning. Winds will be gusty, reaching 40 km/h by midday. Temperatures will remain mild at around 14°C. Fog patches may linger on higher ground until late morning. By evening, skies should clear and conditions will become dry." A typical forecast uses a full range of weather vocabulary in a real, practical context.
Real world: travel planning conversation
Tourist: "What's the weather like in Scotland in March?"
Local: "It's very changeable — you can get sunshine, drizzle, and a gusty storm all in one day! It's chilly too, so pack layers. If you're lucky you might get a clear, frosty morning — absolutely beautiful."
This everyday dialogue demonstrates how weather vocabulary is essential for travel, planning activities, and simply making small talk in English.
Real world: describing an extreme weather event
"Last night's thunderstorm was the worst in ten years. There was torrential rain, hailstones the size of marbles, and lightning every few minutes. By morning, several streets were flooded and fallen branches lay across roads. The fog this morning is making driving hazardous." Extreme weather reporting uses precise vocabulary to communicate urgency and help people make safety decisions.
Practice Problems
Describe today's weather using at least three words from this lesson.
Show answer
What is the difference between 'drizzle', 'shower', and 'storm'?