1.2.- Talking about the weather.

It's true! British people often start a conversation with strangers and friends by talking about the weather. As weather is a neutral topic of conversation, it's usually safe to use it to strike up a conversation – at the bus stop, in a shop, or with a neighbour over the garden fence.

• Some examples of conversation starters.
  • Lovely day, isn't it!
  • Bit nippy today.
  • What strange weather we're having!
  • It doesn't look like it's going to stop raining today.

When travelling, knowing about the weather is very important. If you are going to drive in bad weather you should find out beforehand about the state of the roads. Flights or trains might be delayed or cancelled because of weather conditions.

• We can make predictions about the weather using a range of forms:
  • I think it'll clear up later.
  • It's going to rain by the looks of it.
  • We're in for frost tonight.
  • They're expecting snow in the north.

  • I hear that showers are coming our way.

• We also attribute human features to the weather, almost as if the weather can decide what to do:

  • The sun's trying to come out.
  • It's been trying to rain all morning.

  • It's finally decided to rain.

• Expressions used in a weather forecast include:

  • a high of twenty negrees.
  • a low of -25.
  • 20 percent chance of snow.
  • mainly sunny.
  • sunny with cloudy periods.
  • record high/low.
  • above/below average temperaturas.
  • a few flurries (light snow).
  • 5-day forecast.
  • temperatures are going to drop/dip/plunge (go down quickly).
  • temperatures are going to rise/soar/climb (go up quickly).
  • a warm/cold front is moving in (air from another region is arriving).
  • a hard frost.
  • blizzard / galeforce conditions.
  • hailstones.
  • prolonged rain.
  • strong wind.
  • a drought.
  • mild weather.
  • sunny spells.
  • light drizzle.