Collocations for Talking About Weather

Talking about the weather is one of the most common topics in everyday English conversation.

Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, waiting for a bus, or even having a friendly chat with a neighbor, the weather always comes up.

But did you know that there are specific words we use together to talk about the weather in a more natural and fluent way?

These word combinations are called weather collocations.

Today, I’ll teach you common weather collocations and how you can use them to sound more like a native speaker.

What Are Collocations?

Before we dive into weather collocations, let’s quickly review what collocations are.

In simple terms, collocations are two or more words that are often used together in a language.

These combinations sound natural to native speakers, but they might not always make sense when translated word-for-word into another language.

For example, in English, we say “heavy rain,” not “strong rain,” even though both words might seem like they could work.

When it comes to the weather, collocations help us describe the different types of weather and how we experience it.

Let’s look at some of the most common weather collocations.

1. Describing Temperature

Temperature is one of the main aspects of the weather, and there are a lot of collocations related to it.

• Scorching hot: This means extremely hot, like the sun on a very hot day.
  • “It’s scorching hot today! I can’t stay outside for long.”
• Bitterly cold: This describes very cold weather, usually with wind that makes it feel even colder.
  • “The wind is bitterly cold. I need to wear my thickest jacket.”
• Freezing cold: This is used to describe weather that is below freezing, often with snow or ice.
  • “The temperature has dropped, and it’s freezing cold outside.”
• Boiling hot: This is used for days that are extremely hot, like being near boiling water.
  • “We spent the afternoon at the beach, and it was boiling hot.”
• Mild temperature: This describes pleasant and moderate weather, not too hot or cold.
  • “The weather is mild today, perfect for a walk in the park.”
• Temperatures rise/fall: This describes how the temperature changes.
  • “Temperatures are expected to rise tomorrow, so bring your sunglasses.”
  • “The temperature fell quickly after sunset.”

2. Describing Precipitation

Precipitation includes all forms of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Here are some common collocations used to describe it.

• Heavy rain: This means a lot of rain falling in a short amount of time.
  • “There was heavy rain last night, and the streets are flooded.”
• Light rain: This is used when it’s raining, but not very hard.
  • “It’s just light rain, so you don’t need an umbrella.”
• Torrential rain: This describes rain that falls very heavily, often in large amounts, and sometimes with flooding.
  • “We got caught in torrential rain while hiking.”
• Drizzle: A very light and gentle rain, often continuous.
  • “It’s drizzling outside. I don’t think I need my umbrella.”
• Showers: Short bursts of rain that often come and go quickly.
  • “Expect some light showers this afternoon.”
• Snowfall: This is used to describe snow coming down from the sky.
  • “The snowfall last night was beautiful, covering everything in white.”
• Hailstones: Small balls of ice that fall during some storms.
  • “The hailstones were so big that they damaged the roof.”

3. Describing Wind

The wind is another important part of the weather, and there are a few common collocations used to talk about it.

• Strong wind: Wind that blows forcefully, sometimes making it hard to stand.
  • “There’s a strong wind today; it’s difficult to walk against it.”
• Gale-force winds: Very strong winds, often associated with storms.
  • “The gale-force winds knocked down several trees.”
• Light breeze: A gentle wind, not very strong, often pleasant.
  • “A light breeze blew through the trees, making it feel cooler.”
• Bitter wind: A wind that feels very cold, often causing discomfort.
  • “The bitter wind made it hard to enjoy the outdoor festival.”
• Gust of wind: A sudden, brief burst of wind.
  • “A gust of wind knocked my hat off.”
• Whipping wind: Wind that blows very fast and forcefully, often making noise.
  • “The whipping wind made the sailboat rock back and forth.”

4. Describing the Sky

The sky also plays a big role in weather, and there are many collocations to describe it.

• Clear sky: This means the sky has no clouds, and the sun is visible.
  • “We have a clear sky today, perfect for a picnic.”
• Cloudy sky: When the sky is covered with clouds, but it’s not raining.
  • “The sky is cloudy, so it might rain later.”
• Overcast sky: This is when the sky is completely covered with clouds, making it seem gray and dull.
  • “The overcast sky makes everything look so gloomy.”
• Partly cloudy: When there are some clouds in the sky, but there is also some sunshine.
  • “It’s partly cloudy today, so it’s not too hot.”
• Bright sky: A sky with a lot of sunlight, often making the day feel warm and cheerful.
  • “The bright sky made the day feel so positive.”
• Stormy sky: A sky that looks like it might rain or has dark clouds, often signaling a storm.
  • “The stormy sky means we’re in for some bad weather.”

5. Describing Weather Events

When certain weather events happen, there are specific collocations we use to describe them.

• Thunderstorm: A storm that includes thunder and often lightning.
  • “A thunderstorm is expected later today, so we should be careful.”
• Heatwave: A long period of very hot weather, often with high temperatures for several days.
  • “We’re experiencing a heatwave right now, with temperatures above 40°C.”
• Snowstorm: A storm with heavy snow and strong winds.
  • “The snowstorm blocked the roads, making travel impossible.”
• Tornado: A powerful, rotating column of air that can cause great damage.
  • “A tornado hit the area, destroying several houses.”
• Flooding: When there is an overflow of water, often caused by heavy rain.
  • “Flooding has made several roads impassable.”
• Drought: A long period of dry weather without enough rainfall.
  • “The region is facing a severe drought, which has affected crops.”

6. Talking About the Forecast

When we talk about the weather, we often discuss predictions or forecasts. Here are some common collocations used in this context.

• Weather forecast: A prediction of the weather for the next few days.
  • “The weather forecast says it will be sunny all week.”
• Meteorological report: A detailed report on weather conditions, usually prepared by experts.
  • “According to the meteorological report, temperatures will drop tonight.”
• Weather warning: A message issued by authorities to warn the public of dangerous weather conditions.
  • “There’s a weather warning for strong winds and possible flooding.”
• Chance of rain: The likelihood that it will rain.
  • “There’s a 50% chance of rain later this afternoon.”
• Clear up: When the weather improves, and the clouds disappear.
  • “It looks like the rain will clear up by the afternoon.”

7. Useful Phrases to Talk About the Weather

Finally, here are some useful phrases that you can use when talking about the weather.

• “It’s a beautiful day.” – To talk about nice weather.
• “It looks like it’s going to rain.” – To predict that rain might happen soon.
• “What’s the weather like today?” – To ask about the weather.
• “It’s raining cats and dogs.” – A way to say it’s raining very heavily.
• “The weather is perfect for… (e.g., going for a walk).” – To suggest an activity based on the weather.

Conclusion

Talking about the weather is a simple yet effective way to start a conversation, especially when you’re in a new place or meeting someone for the first time.

By using weather collocations, you can express yourself more clearly and naturally in English.

Whether you’re describing hot summer days, cold winter mornings, or unpredictable storms, mastering these common weather collocations will help you communicate with confidence.

So next time the weather comes up in conversation, you’ll know exactly what to say!