What’s the Weather Like?

(Something else than “Small Talk”)

- It’s + weather (adjective)

 Temperature Adjectives

Extreme Weather Conditions

 Idioms About the Weather

Whether you like it or not, the weather is a popular topic of conversation for many
English-speakers. Talking about the weather is a great conversation starter. Though it's
common to speak about the weather in the majority of countries, this is especially true for
the United Kingdom where the weather is very changeable.

The English language has a large vocabulary for talking about the weather and a wide
range of idioms. Discover how you can speak about the weather in everyday conversation
using the fun list of idioms below. Remember - if you’re ever planning a trip to the UK, it’s
best you learn all the rain ones first! Save the sun idioms for a trip to Australia or
California.

1. IT'S RAINING CATS AND DOGS

Typically used when it is raining heavily outside, during a heavy period of rainfall or
during a storm.

Example: “Do not forget your umbrella before you go outside. It is raining cats and dogs!”

2. EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING

To be optimistic and hope that something good can come out of a bad situation.

Example: "I'm not going on holiday this year, but every cloud has a silver lining, as I'm
able to spend more time with my family at home."

3. HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

Used to describe someone being overly-optimistic about a situation or to have unrealistic
ideas about something.

Example: “Mike thinks he is going to pass his exams without studying. He has his head in
the clouds!”
4. SNOWED UNDER
When you have too much work to do or to have a lot of things to deal with at once.

Example: “Mike is snowed under with work. He cannot come and watch the game with us
tonight.”

5. UNDER THE WEATHER

To describe feeling unwell or minor illnesses that are not life threatening. It can
sometimes be used when you feel overly-exhausted after a long day or night.

Example: “Hazel did not come into work today. She was feeling under the weather.”

6. CLOUD NINE
If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy.

Example: "She has been on cloud nine since getting married."

7. TO BE A BREEZE
To be easy or requiring little effort.

Example: "This exam is going to be a breeze."

8. COME RAIN OR SHINE

To say that something will be done regardless of whatever happens.

Example: "I will play football tonight come rain or shine."

9. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
A brief moment of peace or quiet before a busy or difficult period arrives.

Example: "It's going to get very busy tomorrow. Today is the calm before the storm."

10. FACE LIKE THUNDER

When someone is visibly angry or upset. You can notice the emotion on the person's face.

Example: “You could tell Maria was angry. She had a face like thunder!”

11. STORM IN A TEACUP

Exaggerate a problem.

Example: "I don't think this flu scare is serious. It is a storm in a teacup."

12. LIGHTNING FAST

Being very fast.

Example: "Wow, did you see that man win the race? He was lightning fast!"

13. CHASE RAINBOWS

Try to achieve the impossible.

Example: "I know you want to become a famous footballer but don't chase rainbows! It is
very hard and you are just not good enough."
14. TO TAKE A RAIN CHECK
To postpone something.

Example: "Can we take a rain check on our cinema date? I have too much homework."

15. TO STEAL SOMEONE'S THUNDER

To do what someone else was going to do and receive all the praise; or take the attention
away from someone else.

Example: "My classmate stole my thunder when he told the teacher that he did all the
work on the presentation."

All of these idioms can be used in conversation and are a great way to memorize
vocabulary relating to the weather and seasons.
Leprechaun’s Pot of Gold
 Advanced Vocabulary

We can describe nice weather as:

sunny/warm/fair/boiling/scorching

● You don’t need an umbrella. They predicted sunny and warm

weather.
● I’m going to the beach today because it’s boiling/scorching.
(extremely hot)

We can also talk about cold weather as:

cool/chilly/freezing/frosty

● The air was cool/chilly, so she took a jacket.

● Would you please turn on the heating? It’s freezing.
● It was a frosty (extremely cold) morning when we arrived in
Alaska.

When it is wet outside, we can say that the weather is:

rainy/snowy/cloudy/damp/humid/muggy/dank

● It’s October, so rainy days are coming.

● I hate it when the weather is damp (uncomfortably wet) and
humid.
 Vocabulary and Collocations Related to Weather

If the weather changes, we can say that it is:

changeable/unsettled/unpredictable

● The weather was very changeable in the area. It was warm

and sunny in the morning and then rainy and cold and damp in
the afternoon.
● The weather is usually a bit unpredictable at this time of year.

The verbs used in collocations related to weather:

expect/change/predict/forecast/brave/change/improve/

deteriorate/worsen

● In the afternoon, we can expect the weather to change, and

turn cold with heavy showers (rain).
● The weather is going to deteriorate (worsen) because the
storm was forecast for tonight.
● Let’s hear from our reporter who’s braving the cold November
rain. Is the weather going to improve?
 Rain

Since it rains a lot in the UK, no wonder the “rain” vocabulary is

quite developed:

a raindrop, a drop/spot of rain

● Drops of rain had smacked the title page as he opened the

book.

light/heavy/gentle/steady rain

● Light rain is forecast in the mountain areas this afternoon.

● Heavy and steady rain continued throughout the day.
torrential/pouring/driving/freezing rain

All these adjectives describe extreme weather conditions with heavy

and cold rainfalls.

● On our way back from the park, we were soaked to the skin by
torrential/pouring rain.
● Thomas could hardly see the road through the driving rain so
he had to slow down.
● The wind howled outside and the snow turned to freezing rain.

persistent/light drizzle

Drizzle is rain in very small raindrops.

● It was not heavy rain but a light drizzle, which is very good for
fishing.

Rain can also come in showers.

● More heavy showers are coming for the weekend.

To come down heavily refers to heavy rain or sudden showers.

● Just when we were to get out of the car, it started coming

down heavily.
 Wind

Here are some adjectives that collocate with the noun wind.

a light/strong/warm/sharp/biting/howling/fierce wind

● Rain was coming down heavily while a strong wind was

blowing.
● Fierce wind and heavy rainfalls are expected overnight.
● When he got down to the beach and felt the biting fall wind, he
changed his mind and got back to the car.

Wind can blow, howl, moan, roar…

● It’s the end of the year – winds are roaring, roads are blocked.
● The wind moaned in the trees, but everything else was still.
a gust of/a breath of wind

● Although it was hot, one could feel a breath of wind in the air,
which was refreshing.

Wind can be a breeze, which is a gentle, pleasant wind, but it can

also be a tornado/hurricane/cyclone, extremely strong and

dangerous winds that can cause a lot of damage.

● I like when the sea is calm and a gentle breeze propels the
boat.
● A tornado scooped up one of our calves and dropped it, who
knows where.
● That house was blown away by hurricane Hazel in 1954.

Extreme weather vocabulary

A Storm is a very bad weather including strong wind, heavy rains,

thunder and lightning.

● A tree was blown down in our neighbourhood during the storm

last night.

Blizzard refers to a severe snowy and windy storm.

● The blizzard persisted throughout the day, so we chose to stay

in.
Gale is a very strong wind.

● Unfortunately, a large number of slam houses were knocked

down in yesterday’s gale.

Hail is an extreme weather condition with small ice balls coming

down from the sky.

● The hail broke a few windows on the house.

Flood happens when water covers a place.

● Ian felt just horrible when he saw all the flooding and people
left homeless with nothing.

Drought is a long time with very little or no rain.

● Estimates suggest that 55 % of crops will be lost due to the

summer drought.