Talking about weather

People often begin polite conversations by talking about the weather. That is probably because weather is a safe topic for conversation. Some examples of common weather-related conversation starters in English are given below.

‘Nice day, isn’t it?’ ‘Yeah. Lovely.’

The sky is overcast. I think it’s going to rain.

Lovely day, but there is a nip in the air. (A nip in the air = a feeling of frost)

Bit nippy today. (= A bit cold today)

It’s raining.

‘What horrible weather we’re having.’ ‘Yeah. It hasn’t stopped raining in weeks.’

It’s snowing.

Predicting the weather

We can make predictions about the weather, using a range of forms – not just the ‘will’ or ‘going to’ form.

I think the fog will soon clear up. (When the fog clears up, visibility improves.)

I think the sky will soon clear up. (When the sky clears up it stops raining.)

We’re in for heavy showers / frost tonight.

It’s going to snow / rain by the looks of it.

They’re expecting thunderstorms / rains / showers / snow in the north.

People sometimes talk about weather as if it has a personality.

It’s been trying to rain all morning.

I heard that rains are coming our way.