Talking about the weather is a common topic of conversation in English, and having a rich vocabulary to describe it can be very useful. Here are some words and phrases to help you describe various types of weather:
Sunny: Used to describe a day or moment when the sun is shining and there are no clouds.
It’s a beautiful, sunny day perfect for a picnic.
Cloudy: When the sky is covered with clouds.
It looks like it might rain; it’s so cloudy outside.
Overcast: Similar to cloudy, but implies a thicker layer of cloud cover which can make the environment appear dull.
The morning was gloomy and overcast, but it cleared up by noon.
Clear: There are no clouds in the sky.
The sky is clear tonight; you can see all the stars.
Foggy: A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the Earth’s surface which obscures or restricts visibility.
Drive carefully; it’s quite foggy this morning.
Misty: Similar to foggy, but with thinner moisture in the air, often seen in mornings or at high altitudes.
The mountain view is beautiful but misty at dawn.
Windy: Characterized by a lot of wind.
The weather forecast says it’s going to be windy tomorrow.
Breezy: A lighter, more pleasant form of windy.
It’s a lovely breezy afternoon for a walk on the beach.
Calm: Very little or no wind.
The lake is so calm today, perfect for kayaking.
Blustery: Characterized by strong, noisy winds and usually cold weather.
It’s a blustery day, so better wrap up warm.
Rainy: When precipitation in the form of drops of water falls from the sky.
Make sure to carry an umbrella; it’s going to be rainy all day.
Drizzle: Light rain falling in very fine drops.
There’s a slight drizzle this morning, but it’s nothing too bothersome.
Downpour: A heavy rain.
We got caught in a sudden downpour during our hike.
Thunderstorm: A storm with thunder and lightning and typically heavy rain or hail.
The weather report shows a thunderstorm arriving later today.
Hail: Pellets of frozen rain which fall in showers from cumulonimbus clouds.
The hail was so intense last night that it woke me up.
Snowy: Characterized by snowfall.
The slopes are snowy and ready for skiing.
Flurry: A light, brief period of snowfall.
A few flurries are expected tonight, but nothing major.
Blizzard: A severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.
Schools were closed due to the blizzard conditions.
Chilly: Noticeably cold, but not extremely.
It’s a bit chilly this evening, so you might want a sweater.
Cold: Low temperature which can be uncomfortable.
Make sure to bundle up; it’s really cold outside.
Freezing: Very cold, below the freezing point of water.
The pond is freezing over, winter is definitely here.
Warm: A pleasantly high temperature.
It’s so warm today that you could go out in just a T-shirt.
Hot: High temperature which can cause discomfort.
It’s expected to be hot all week, with temperatures above 90 degrees.
Humid: Containing a high amount of water vapor; often feels warmer because sweat does not evaporate easily.
It’s not just hot, it’s also very humid, making it feel even hotter.
Dry: Lack of moisture in the air, often associated with desert climates.
The air is so dry in this region; it’s important to stay hydrated.
Understanding these terms can help you not only describe the weather more accurately but also enhance your ability to communicate effectively in English about everyday situations.
