Talking about the weather is a great way to break the ice in conversation and is a common topic in English. You can start a small talk with simple questions. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
Asking about the weather:
- How’s the weather (like) today?
- What’s it like out there?
- What’s the weather forecast?
- What’s the temperature like (today)?
Making observations:
- It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
- We couldn’t ask for better weather.
- It’s a bit chilly this morning.
- Looks like rain!
- It’s pouring outside! (raining heavily)
- It´s a sunny day!
Expressing feelings about the weather:
- I love this warm weather!
- This heat is unbearable!
- I can’t believe how cold it is!
- This wind is refreshing.
Vocabulary:
Here are some common words to describe the weather:
- Sunny
- Cloudy
- Rainy
- Snowy
- Windy
- Hot
- Cold
- Humid
- Breezy
- Overcast
- Gloomy
You can also use more descriptive phrases:
- It’s a bright and sunny day.
- There are dark clouds gathering.
- It’s a light drizzle.
- The wind is howling.
Taking it further:
- You can discuss how the weather affects your plans. “This rain might put a damper on the picnic.”
- Talk about your preferences. “I’m a cold weather person myself.”
- Use weather idioms! “It’s raining cats and dogs!” (raining heavily)
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay
Here are some tips on how to talk about the weather:
- Observation: Start by making an observation about the current weather. For example, you could say, “It’s such a beautiful day today” or “I can’t believe how windy it is outside.”
- Ask a Question: Engage the other person by asking them about their thoughts on the weather. You might ask, “Do you enjoy this kind of weather?” or “Have you heard if it’s supposed to rain later?”
- Share an Experience: Relate the weather to a recent experience or activity. You could say, “I went for a walk in the park yesterday, and the sunshine was so refreshing” or “I had to cancel my plans because of the heavy rain last night.”
- Use Humor: Lighten the mood with a joke or humorous comment about the weather. For example, “I think I’m going to start charging people for sunscreen on days like this” or “I guess we can always count on unpredictable weather to keep things interesting.”
- Transition: Once you’ve discussed the weather for a bit, transition to another topic related to your conversation or surroundings. You could say, “Speaking of the weather, have you been on any fun outdoor adventures lately?” or “Since the weather’s so nice, have you tried any new outdoor activities?”
Remember to keep the conversation natural and genuine. While talking about the weather may seem like small talk, it can often lead to more meaningful discussions or connections.
As a final tip, check out this video: “Berlitz – 165 top ways to talk about weather in English“.
