describing bad weather essay

How to Describe Weather in Writing (200+ Examples & Guide)

Weather can set the mood, reveal character, and foreshadow events. Whether you’re writing a novel, a short story, or an essay, effectively describing weather can immerse your readers in your world.

Here is a quick answer for how to describe weather in writing:

Describe weather in writing by focusing on key traits like temperature, intensity, duration, and season. Use vivid language to capture the essence of the weather, enhancing the mood and setting. Include specific details and sensory descriptions to make the scene come alive.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to describe weather in writing.

Types of Weather to Include in Writing

Table of Contents

Weather comes in different types, so let’s quickly look at some of the most common weather you’ll write about in your articles, essays, and stories.

• Sunny : Bright, clear skies with lots of sunshine.
• Rainy : Steady rain, drizzle, or thunderstorms.
• Cloudy : Overcast skies, ranging from light to dense cloud cover.
• Snowy : Snowfall, blizzards, or a light dusting of snow.
• Windy : Breezy to strong winds that affect the surroundings.
• Stormy : Thunderstorms, hurricanes, or other severe weather.
• Foggy : Thick mist that reduces visibility.
• Humid : Moist, heavy air that feels sticky.
• Dry : Lack of moisture in the air, often leading to parched conditions.
• Cold : Chilly temperatures that might include frost or ice.
• Hot : High temperatures that can cause discomfort.
• Misty : Light fog that creates a hazy effect.
• Hazy : Dust or smoke in the air that obscures the view.

13 Traits of Weather to Describe in Writing

When it comes to learning how to describe weather in writing, you need to know these 13 traits.

1. Temperature

Temperature sets the scene’s physical context and can deeply influence characters’ clothing, behavior, and mood.

It’s more than just a number on a thermometer; it’s about how that number affects the characters and their environment.

High temperatures might cause sweat to bead on foreheads and tempers to flare, while low temperatures could lead to shivering bodies and hurried movements to find warmth.

• Example 1 : The scorching heat made the pavement shimmer, and every breath felt like inhaling fire.
• Example 2 : The biting cold numbed her fingers, turning her breath into tiny clouds of mist.
• Example 3 : The mild temperature was perfect for an afternoon stroll, neither too hot nor too cold.

2. Intensity

The intensity of weather can create varying levels of tension or calmness in a scene.

Describing the strength of the weather can add depth and realism, making readers feel the weight of a torrential downpour or the lightness of a gentle breeze. Intense weather can heighten drama, indicating impending danger or climax, while mild weather can suggest tranquility or everyday normality.

• Example 1 : The rain fell in a gentle drizzle, barely wetting the ground.
• Example 2 : A fierce storm raged outside, with winds howling and lightning splitting the sky.
• Example 3 : The sun beat down relentlessly, making every step a struggle.

3. Duration

The duration of weather events can significantly affect the plot and pacing of your story.

Short, sudden bursts of weather can add surprise and urgency, while prolonged conditions can establish a setting or mood that influences the characters’ long-term actions and emotions.

Depending on how it is portrayed, duration can also symbolize stability or change.

• Example 1 : A sudden downpour soaked them within minutes.
• Example 2 : Weeks of unbroken sunshine had turned the fields to dust.
• Example 3 : The fog lingered for days, casting a gloomy pall over the town.

4. Time of Day

Weather changes throughout the day and these shifts can set different moods in your writing.

Morning weather can signify new beginnings, afternoon weather can illustrate the peak of activity, and evening weather can evoke a sense of closure or calm.

The interplay between the time of day and weather can add layers to your scenes, affecting how events are perceived.

• Example 1 : The morning dew glistened on the grass as the sun began to rise.
• Example 2 : By midday, the sun was high and unyielding, casting harsh shadows.
• Example 3 : The cool evening breeze was a welcome relief after the day’s heat.

Each season brings distinct weather patterns, which can symbolize different themes or emotions in your story.

Spring often represents renewal and growth, summer can signify peak vitality and sometimes oppressive heat, autumn may symbolize change and decay, and winter can embody death, dormancy, or a stark beauty.

These seasonal weather conditions can help anchor your story in time and add symbolic depth.

• Example 1 : Spring brought a fresh, floral scent to the air, promising new beginnings.
• Example 2 : The summer heatwave left everyone seeking shade and cool drinks.
• Example 3 : Autumn’s crisp air and falling leaves hinted at change and decay.

6. Precipitation

Precipitation, whether it’s rain, snow, or hail, can add layers of meaning and atmosphere to your writing.

It can symbolize cleansing, danger, or transition. Rain might create a romantic or melancholic mood, snow can suggest purity or isolation, and hail can indicate a fierce, chaotic environment.

• Example 1 : The soft patter of rain on the roof was a soothing lullaby.
• Example 2 : Snowflakes drifted lazily down, blanketing the world in silence.
• Example 3 : Hailstones hammered the ground, causing everyone to seek shelter.

Wind creates movement and sound, adding dynamic elements to a scene.

It can convey mood and foreshadow events, from a gentle breeze that calms the characters to a howling gale that brings unease or signals a coming storm. Wind can also physically affect the environment, making leaves rustle, doors slam, or waves crash.

• Example 1 : A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the scent of flowers.
• Example 2 : The howling wind whipped through the streets, making doors slam.
• Example 3 : A stiff breeze filled the sails, propelling the boat forward.

8. Humidity

Humidity affects how the weather feels and can influence characters’ comfort and actions.

High humidity can make the air feel heavy and sticky, causing discomfort and lethargy, while low humidity can make the air dry and crisp. Describing humidity helps convey the sensory experience of the environment.

• Example 1 : The humid air clung to her skin, making every movement a chore.
• Example 2 : Dry heat sucked the moisture from his mouth, leaving him parched.
• Example 3 : The tropical humidity was oppressive, wrapping around him like a blanket.

9. Visibility

Visibility is often affected by fog, mist, or haze, which can add mystery or danger to scenes.

Limited visibility can enhance suspense, create a sense of isolation, or signal impending danger. It also affects how characters navigate their environment and interact with each other.

• Example 1 : The fog was so thick that she could barely see a few feet ahead.
• Example 2 : Mist swirled around their ankles, making the forest feel otherworldly.
• Example 3 : Haze from distant wildfires blurred the horizon.

Weather creates sounds that can enhance a scene’s mood and realism.

The rumble of thunder, the steady drip of rain, or the whisper of wind through leaves can evoke specific emotions and add depth to your setting. Sound descriptions make your scenes more immersive and vivid.

• Example 1 : Thunder rumbled in the distance, a warning of the storm to come.
• Example 2 : The steady drip of rain on the window was hypnotic.
• Example 3 : Wind chimes clinked softly in the breeze, a delicate melody.

Different weather conditions have distinct smells that can evoke strong memories and emotions.

Describing these scents adds another sensory layer to your writing, making scenes more relatable and engaging. The smell of rain, salt, or fresh snow can transport readers into the environment you’re creating.

• Example 1 : The fresh scent of rain on dry earth was intoxicating.
• Example 2 : The sharp tang of salt filled the air as the storm approached.
• Example 3 : Snow carried a clean, crisp smell that invigorated her senses.

Describing how the weather feels can create a visceral connection for readers.

It encompasses the physical sensations of weather conditions, like the prick of cold rain, the warmth of the sun, or the chill of a breeze.

These tactile details make your descriptions more immersive and realistic.

• Example 1 : The icy wind cut through his jacket, chilling him to the bone.
• Example 2 : Warm sun on her face felt like a gentle caress.
• Example 3 : The rain was cold and stinging, soaking her to the skin.

The quality of light changes with the weather and can set the tone for your scenes.

Different types of light, from the golden glow of sunrise to the harsh glare of midday sun or the eerie flashes of lightning, can create various atmospheres and highlight specific aspects of your scene.

• Example 1 : Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows.
• Example 2 : Lightning illuminated the night in brief, blinding flashes.
• Example 3 : The overcast sky muted the colors of the landscape, making everything look dull.

These detailed descriptions help create a vivid and immersive experience for readers, enhancing your storytelling by bringing the weather to life in your writing.

Here is a good video about how to describe weather in writing:

Best Words for Describing Weather in Writing

Use these words when describing the weather in your articles, essays, and stories.

• Tempestuous
• Frostbitten
• Hail-filled
• Sun-drenched
• Snow-kissed

Best Phrases for Describing Weather in Writing

Now let’s look at some of the best phrases to use when describing weather in your writing.

• The sun blazed down mercilessly.
• A gentle breeze whispered through the trees.
• Rain fell in a relentless downpour.
• Snowflakes drifted like feathers.
• The wind howled through the canyons.
• Clouds gathered ominously on the horizon.
• The air was thick with humidity.
• A fog rolled in, shrouding everything in mystery.
• The heat was oppressive, stifling every breath.
• Lightning split the sky.
• The morning dew sparkled on the grass.
• A chill ran through the air.
• Thunder rumbled in the distance.
• The sky was a flawless blue.
• Raindrops pattered on the roof.
• The storm raged all night.
• A crisp wind nipped at their noses.
• The sun dipped below the horizon.
• The day dawned bright and clear.
• Frost covered the ground.
• A hazy sun filtered through the clouds.
• Snow blanketed the landscape.
• The air was filled with the scent of rain.
• Waves crashed against the shore.
• A light drizzle began to fall.
• The sky darkened with the approaching storm.
• The sun was a blinding white disc.
• A warm breeze caressed her face.
• The cold was biting and unrelenting.
• The rain turned to sleet.
• The wind carried a salty tang.
• A rainbow arched across the sky.
• The air was crisp and invigorating.
• The storm clouds loomed large.
• The night was still and quiet.
• The sun peeked through the clouds.
• The ground was slick with rain.
• A veil of mist obscured the path.
• The heat shimmered off the pavement.
• A gale-force wind swept through the valley.
• The sun’s rays were weak and pale.
• The air was fresh and clean.
• The sky was streaked with pink and gold.
• The storm broke with a fury.
• The rain was a steady, soothing patter.
• The sky cleared, revealing a starry night.
• The day was gray and dreary.
• A heavy fog settled over the town.
• The sun shone with an almost blinding intensity.
• The wind whipped around them, cold and fierce.
• The air crackled with static.
• Snowflakes danced in the air.
• A veil of rain descended.
• The sun’s rays pierced through the clouds.
• The sky was a blanket of stars.
• Frost etched patterns on the window.
• The wind carried whispers of autumn.
• Rain drummed a steady rhythm on the roof.
• The sky wept in torrents.
• The horizon was a blur of heatwaves.
• Snow crunched underfoot.
• The night was awash with moonlight.
• Fog hugged the ground like a ghost.
• The storm churned with fury.
• A gentle drizzle kissed the earth.
• The sun dipped into the horizon.
• The sky was painted with twilight hues.
• The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
• Thunder rolled like distant drums.
• The air was thick with anticipation.
• The storm unleashed its wrath.
• A breeze caressed the meadow.
• The clouds hung low, brooding.
• Sunlight filtered through the canopy.
• The cold seeped into their bones.
• The air was fragrant with rain.
• Lightning split the night sky.
• The air shimmered with heat.
• The sun peeked over the horizon.
• The storm clouds gathered ominously.
• The wind howled through the alleyways.
• The morning was crisp and clear.
• Rain tapped a lullaby on the window.
• The sun blazed with intensity.
• The air was sharp with cold.
• The storm was a maelstrom of fury.
• The sky was a canvas of pastels.
• Snow blanketed the world in white.
• The night was calm and still.
• The wind tugged at their clothes.
• The air buzzed with humidity.
• The sky glowed with dawn’s light.
• Rain shimmered on the pavement.
• The evening was awash with color.
• The sun’s warmth enveloped them.
• The clouds parted to reveal the moon.
• The fog was a shroud of mystery.
• The storm’s roar was deafening.
• The air was cool and refreshing.

Examples of How to Describe Weather in Writing

I love examples so I wanted to share different full examples of how to describe weather in writing (in different genres).

Example 1: Fantasy

In the heart of the enchanted forest, the weather was as fickle as the magic that coursed through its ancient trees. A mist hung low, swirling around their feet like ghostly tendrils. The air was cool, with a crispness that hinted at the coming winter. As they ventured deeper, the light began to fade, and a chill breeze whispered through the branches, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a storm broke with a furious roar, lightning illuminating the forest in stark, brilliant flashes.

Example 2: Romance

The summer evening was perfect, with the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink. A warm breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of blooming jasmine. As they walked along the beach, the sand still held the day’s heat, and the waves lapped gently at their feet. The air was soft and balmy, wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. The sky darkened to a deep indigo, and stars began to twinkle, casting a magical glow over the water.

Example 3: Thriller

The city was a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, and the weather mirrored its dark mood. A thick fog had settled in, muffling the sounds of the night. The air was heavy and damp, with a chill that seeped into his bones. As he made his way down the deserted street, the mist clung to him, reducing visibility to mere feet. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance, and the occasional flash of lightning revealed fleeting glimpses of abandoned buildings and empty alleys. The rain began to fall in earnest, a steady, relentless downpour that turned the streets into rivers.

Example 4: Nonfiction

In the summer months, temperatures often soar to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a scorching environment that can be both a blessing and a curse for local farmers. While the heat helps to ripen crops quickly, it also necessitates increased irrigation to prevent soil from drying out and plants from wilting. The relentless sun beats down on the fields, making the air shimmer with heat and pushing both people and animals to seek shade during the hottest parts of the day. Farmers have had to adapt by adjusting their watering schedules and employing shade nets to protect sensitive crops from sunburn.

Final Thoughts: How to Describe Weather in Writing

Once you master weather descriptions, you’ll still need to know how to describe other things in writing.

Things like the wind, clouds, snow, and much more.

Read This Next

• How to Describe the Wind in Writing (100 Words + Examples)
• How To Describe Clouds In Writing (100+ Examples & Words)
• How to Describe Snow in Writing (100+ Examples & Words)
• How To Describe Night In Writing (100 Best Words + Examples)
• How to Describe a Sunset in Writing: 100 Best Words & Phrases

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Ielts cue card sample 36 - describe a bad weather experience you have had, describe a bad weather experience you have had..

• what sort of bad weather it was
• when it happened
• where you were then
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BRYN DONOVAN

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Master List for Describing Weather

A lot of writers struggle with describing settings. I’ve written before about how to describe settings and why it matters , but a few people have told me they’d like me to do some of my master lists for writers to help them out!

I have a weird love for creating lists like this, so I’m happy to do it. “How to describe weather” seemed like a good place to start. This way, you won’t get stuck trying to figure out how to describe nice weather, or thinking up ways to describe rain. Hopefully, this will make your writing go faster.

I always include simple as well as more creative ways to describe or write about weather. Sometimes, the simple word is the one you want! I included dryness and humidity in a few of the categories because it felt weird for them to get their own.

As always, this is not a comprehensive list, and I might add to it. My list will probably make you think of other possibilities, too. Bookmark or pin it for future writing reference!

HOT WEATHER 

blazing sunshine

glaring sun

baking in the sun

sun-drenched

scorching heat

extravagant heat

relentless sun

like a suana

dense tropical heat

radiating heat

blistering heat

oppressive heat

insufferable heat

suffocating heat

heat pressing down

searing sun

shimmering heat

like an oven

like a furnace

WARM / PLEASANT WEATHER

(“Pleasant” is a matter of opinion, of course.)

a beautiful day

a clear day

a temperate day

a golden day

a glorious day

heavenly weather

bright and sunny

a gorgeous spring day

a dazzling summer day

a brilliant autumn day

a vivid blue sky

a cloudless sky

fluffy white clouds

gentle sunshine

lazy sunshine

kind sunshine

filtered sunlight

dappled sunlight

welcome warmth

one of those rare, perfect days

the kind of day that made people forget to worry

the kind of day that lifted people’s moods

COOL WEATHER

refreshing air

stimulating cool air

invigorating cool air

bracing cool air

a nip in the air

a brisk day

a chilly day

weak sunshine

GRAY / OVERCAST WEATHER

(Most people don’t like gray days, so most of these descriptions are negative. I love them, so I had to add a few positive descriptions.)

colorless sky

a soft gray sky

a dove-gray sky

a gray day made for books and tea

steel-gray sky

granite sky

cement-gray sky

threatening clouds

foreboding clouds

COLD WEATHER

glacial air

bitter cold

brutal cold

bone-chilling cold

penetrating cold

devastating cold

numbing cold

punishing cold

dangerous cold

unforgiving cold

too cold to talk

so cold it burned one’s lungs

so cold it took one’s breath away

like a blast from a hair dryer

a gust of wind

insistent winds

heavy winds

strong winds

cutting wind

whipping winds

biting wind

wintry squall

violent gale

howling wind

shifting winds

restless wind

fresh breeze

soft breeze

balmy breeze

perfumed breeze

slight breeze

hint of a breeze

stirring breeze

wind rustling through the trees

fine drizzle

gray drizzle

pebbles of falling rain

spitting rain

stinging rain

steady rain

rain falling in torrents

cascades of rain

rain beating down

shower of rain

sheets of rain

hard-driving rain

pelting rain

lashing rain

slashing rain

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

rumbling in the distance

a roll of distant thunder

crash of thunder

crackle of thunder

crack of thunder

clap of thunder

bang of thunder

booming thunder

rattled with thunder

earth-shaking thunder

tempestuous

a furious storm

flash of lightning

streaks of lightning

SNOW AND ICE

flurries of snow

dancing flakes

snowflakes floating down

snowflakes wafting down

swirling snow

falling thick and fast

big flakes falling like petals

blinding snowstorm

raging blizzard

sparkling expanses

blankets of white

caked with snow

boulders of snow

branches coated in ice

glittering ice

crystallized by frost

silvered with frost

clouds of mist

swirling mist

billowing fog

cloaked in mist

cocooned in fog

shrouded in fog

enveloped by fog

smothered by fog

made mysterious by fog

the fog rolled in

the fog was burning off

the fog was lifting

the fog was clearing

the fog was dissipating

I have many lists like this in my book  Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More . Check it out!

Do you describe weather conditions in your writing? Do you have a favorite example of a weather description? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!

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21 thoughts on “ master list for describing weather ”.

In my current WIP, weather is a crucial element. Not only is the woman in the romance a professional photographer — of weather — but it is a weather phenomenon, namely a tornado, that brings them together. So the description of the sky and the weather is quite detailed in places (specially as the supercell storm roars down on them).

On another angle, the phrase “gloriously sunny” is one that despite having that horrible “ly” adverb (shudder) is so evocative of the type of weather and the POV character’s attitude (and possibly even the type of weather that has gone before), that it’s powerful. It says a huge amount with only two words.

Hi Chris! Oh, wow…that’s a lot more detailed than most of us ever get in writing about the weather. It sounds like a great premise!

I will need this list as I begin edits next month on my WIP. I currently live in Hawaii, but am writing a story at Christmas time in Vermont. 🙂 Thank you!

Aw, nice! That’s some very different weather from what you’re used to. 🙂

It really is! And traveling to the climate I need isn’t ideal right now. So, off to the freezer I go! 🙂

Wow! This is fantastic. Thanks. You ARE a master at this.

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This is comprehensive! It’s bookmarked for future use. Thanks!

Thanks, Steve, I’m glad you liked it!

Amazing list that goes beyond the words that I struggle with – especially describing the rain-painted setting of Snowdonia.

Love your lists. You don’t have one for beaches by any chance? Would this, including the weather be another book by any chance??

Hi, Nicole! It’s funny you should ask. 🙂 I am going to release a second, more expanded version of MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS . It’s going to have several setting descriptions in there (including a whole list for beaches!), and the weather list will be in there, too! I’m hoping to get it done before November of this year, but we’ll see. Thanks for asking!

That’s awesome and look forward to it’s release.

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I am in Chinan. I happened to enter this web-link and want to learn more about writing, I wonder if there are any descriptive passages. I can only find some words and expressions…

That was really useful. Thank you!

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This list is fabulous. Thank you for sharing it. I will be consulting it when incorporating weather elements into writing my next picture book.

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160+ Ways to Describe Weather

I keep a collection of descriptions that have pulled me into the books I read. I’m fascinated how authors can–in just a few words–put me in the middle of their story and make me want to stay there. This one’s 160+   Ways to Describe Weather.

A note: These are for inspiration only . They can’t be copied because they’ve been pulled directly from an author’s copyrighted manuscript (intellectual property is immediately copyrighted when published).

• Evening shadows deepened into blue and purple.
• The shadows retreated.
• Sun was sinking toward the horizon, the pitiless white ball now an angry orange.
• Fading afternoon in early June
• Evening sky had turned to molten brass.
• Sun still cast a faint yellow light through Slowly gathering evening.
• Daylight had begun to drain away.
• one-quarter of a moonlit night
• silver-white moon hung
• A half-moon rests in the fronds over our heads.
• watching the horizon drain of color
• The shadows slipped up the rocks as though the world were drowning in darkness.
• deepening shadows made it a city of ghosts
• barely visible in the fading light
• the high heavens
• Darkness settled around him.
• The shadows slipped up the rocks.
• Evening was crisp already, the last of sunset just a fading pale stripe in the western sky.
• darkening river
• the moon golden at dawn, turn purple just before sunset in the rainy season, sometimes has white and black stripes created by volcanic ash, calm and clear sometimes attended by only a single cloud
• humpback shapes of conical hills
• The last rays of sun skimmed the surface.
• late afternoon sun
• velvety darkness
• night shattered like a mirror
• the Southern Cross lying on its side, the green meadow bathed in the humid light of the sinking sun
• The corners have just about disappeared into the shadows.
• black branches that traced the blue-black heavens overhead
• far away down the night sky
• full moon a pale blue-white disk
• night sky dull black
• Stars were remote pinpricks.
• a half-moon rests in the fronds over our heads
• inky blackness
• Thick clouds blotted out the stars.
• A thin layer of clouds masked the full moon, filling the room with blue light.
• Sun cast a luminescent glow.
• The day was out of sync with his mood.
• beautiful, 82 degrees, mild breeze, cloudless sunshine, a day for looking at a ball game
• The air was cool but the sun was out.
• The wind blew itself out overnight.
• a web of clouds, back-lit by the failing sun, mist billowed through the trees and over the fields and hung low in the air, masking the camp in a ghostly gray
• towering thunder clouds
• Clouds threatening, but no rain predicted the 45-mile per hour gusts of drizzly wind.
• brown cloud that passes for air
• a wedge of sunlight bursting past the narrow window
• The wind was icy and withering.
• Heads bowed against the gusting wind.
• Grit grated in his teeth. Dust was everywhere, blowing on the wind, leaving its scent in his nostrils.
• as dust motes drifted
• thirty miles over the horizon
• razor edge of the horizon
• cinder dust and gloom
• The haze floated over the crowd like smoke from a doused fire.
• Sun hanging in a pink haze of clouds and smog.
• Fog yellowed by agricultural burning.
• Fog began to billow across the road in a great grey mass like the effluent of a thousand smokestacks. The building was only a shadowy form, almost entirely lost to view.
• Headlamps of cars did little to pierce the gloom.
• The mist floated like smoke out of the cypress in the swamp.
• dark clouds drifting over the hills
• night was pitch
• slice of sky
• thick clouds blotted out the stars
• a thin layer of clouds masked the full moon, filling the room with blue light
• cool restful shady world with light filtering lazily through the treetops that meet high overhead and shut out the direct sunlight
• saw the anvil of cloud coming in. “A thunderstorm.”
• Cumulus clouds falling down to the…
• A light breeze whispered through the trees.
• cloud shadows
• first cumulus clouds darkening into thunderheads
• hold humidity like a sponge holds water
• thick heat of the growing morning
• fierce humidity
• windless heat
• It was surprisingly hot. He could feel the sweat roll down his sides and the dampness of the box up against his chest.
• Even with the breeze, the air remained thick and hot, and it stills tank of petroleum.
• sky as gray-white and sunless
• against the fading layers of orange, yellow
• shoulders hunched against the early morning damp and cool
• fused warm light of dawn now creeping down the summit
• bathed in sunlight
• gold shadow not three inches from his leg
• his breath steaming in the air
• Snow pelted his face and he pulled up the collar of his overcoat to further shield him from the bitter weather.
• rubbed his arms
• A harsh winter wind blew out of a midnight sky. It roared out of the frigid north and thrashed the brooking forest. The force of it bent trees, whipping their bare branches like angry lashes. Shrieking across the river.
• Cold was like that, seeping through her seven layers of clothing, attacking seams and zipper tracks and spots of thin insulation. The exposed skin on her face felt as if it had been touched with lit cigarettes.
• frigid Friday morning
• swirling snow
• winter’s naked branches created a black tracework
• The sun was climbing out of the deep well of winter, but it was still brutally cold.
• winter colors daubed the land in colors of brown and gray
• sunny, crisp and cool
• The crisp air and clear sky energized his thoughts.

Rainy weather

• grey wet morning
• rain-swept and unpleasantly chilly
• A flurry of rain stung my face.
• Cold rain was beating down on my windshield.
• The sky was leaden.
• Downpour started in the early evening and continued on through the night, a heavy pelting of water that thundered against rooftops and drowned out the sound of all else. By morning, city streets were shallow rivers rushing toward the ocean.
• Rain ran down the window, the streets gleamed.
• damp paving stones
• By the time it reaches the ground, it has spent its energy.
• windshield wipers barely keeping up with the cold, hard rain
• The rain came steady and cold against the windshield and rattled on the roof of the car.
• turned her head away and looked out my window, where it had gotten dark and shiny with the lights glistening off the rain.
• The maple trees were black and slick in the rain, their bare branches shiny. The flower bed was a soggy matting of dead stems.
• The sky was low and gray.
• Air was swollen.
• the rain was steady and warm and vertical
• drizzly rain
• The sleety rain drizzled down, not very hard and not very fast, but steady.
• Rain came down so hard it almost hurt, stinging the skin and blowing into the eyes and nose and mouth, but in the forest its fall is broken by the trees.
• saw a distant flash of lightning, counted the seconds, and then said, “six miles, more or less.”

People in hot weather:

• Heat wave hit, temperatures went soaring.
• The heat hit them like a hand in the face.
• strode into the dusk, into the stifling heat
• The heat smacked the grin off his face.
• Burst back into the blistering hot sun. Sweat immediately beaded across her brow. She could feel her T-shirt glue itself stickily to her skin.
• I could feel the sweat form along my backbone and trickle down.
• She slogged forward, feeling blotches of dark gray sweat bloom across the front of her T-shirt, while more trailed down the small of her back.
• slogging across pavement as hot as ash in August.
• white dress shirt, sharply pressed this morning, was now plastered against his chest
• already short of breath, his lungs laboring as they headed down the path
• still wrung out from working in the heat
• Take your shirt off. Pop your underwear in the freezer. Dump a tray of ice cubes on your bed. Throw back some chilled vodka shots before you go to sleep.
• The semi-drought slowly draining the life out of the grass and trees.
• Only 7 in the morning, and already stocky hot. *** had a sheen across his forehead.
• Sweat tricked from his forehead which he wiped with the back of his knotted, callused hand.
• hundred degree heat, burning sun and parching salt
• ninety-five outside, probably a hundred in the car. Not great weather for polyester suits
• a fresh drop of sweat teared up on her brow and made a slow, wet path down the plane of her cheek
• walking through a hair dryer
• The heat slammed her like a blow.
• *** cranked the air-conditioning. She stripped off her sweat-soaked clothes, climbed into the shower and scrubbed.
• answered the phone while used the other hand to wipe the sweat from the back of her neck. God this heat was unbearable. The humidity level had picked up on Sunday and hadn’t done a thing to improve since.
• *** thin green sundress was already plastered to her body while she could feel fresh dewdrops of moisture trickle stickily down between her breast.
• Cradled the phone closer to her damp ear
• Her face shiny with sweat.
• Summer sun remained a brilliant, blinding white. No shade existed for miles and the heat rising up from the baked earth was brutal.
• The summer heat came off the tarmac in waves.

Hot Weather

• While the mercury climbed to a hundred degrees. Efforts started strong, then petered out. People got hot, got tired, got busy with other things—inside things.
• Seemed to be bracing himself for leaving the cool comfort of air-conditioning behind and bursting once more into the heat
• The heat settled in on them, rolling in like a heavy blanket and pressing them deep into their chairs while their clothing glued to their skin.
• Even my teeth are sweating
• The sun beat down relentlessly; even with the AC cranked up, she could feel the heat.
• She could already feel sweat trickle down her back.
• The sun burned white-hot overhead.
• glass exploding from the heat of the sun
• vanish in the dry season’s brown leaves

Click for the complete list of 69 writer’s themed descriptions .

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Jacqui Murray  is the author of the popular  Man vs. Nature  saga, the  Rowe-Delamagente thrillers , and the acclaimed  Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy .  She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an  Amazon Vine Voice , and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction,  Savage Land Winter 2024

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122 thoughts on “ 160+ Ways to Describe Weather ”

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Weaving words so perfectly – Thanks for sharing. And overnight, a transformation. Summer at last.,, .

Like Liked by 1 person

These really inspire me. I often read through my collections when I’m stuck.

helped my writing

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Reblogged this on Coffee82 and commented: Awesome.

Like Liked by 2 people

Nice collection! A lot of poetic and inventive phrasing there.

✨🙏🕉🌱🌿🌳🌻💚🕊☯🐉✨

Weather is so many different things to different people. Not surprising I found 160 descriptions of it.

Ha! yes – that got me thinking about the old “Number of words for snow” question, and I found this . As a Scot myself though I have to say I am very, very skeptical of the final claim in that article!

I’ve heard of that, too. Luckily, my folks don’t have that problem but it is truly an issue if you’re writing about present-day groups in snowy lands.

Appreciate your list of ways to describe the weather. Timeless too. Here I am 2 years since your post and inspired by your creativity. Take care, Steve

It is timeless, isn’t it! When I put this list together, it helped me to better appreciate weather.

Impressive list. (Mine, now!) I’m compiling one for similes. Raymond Chandler makes me smile with his off the wall analogies. I recently added a Writing Terms Checklist on my free checklists page. It was too long for a post. Thanks for all you do!

I like checklists. I’ll check yours out!

Hi Jacqui, Thanks for reading my modest post. What an accomplished woman you are! What would we do without words, eh! Cheers. Joy x

Thanks, Joy. I enjoyed your thoughts. It’s amazing what inspired such accomplished writers as the Brontes.

Excellent list, Jacqui. I even get lots of ideas for titles, something I’m always struggling with entering competitions.

I grab these from books I read. You can probably tell I favor thrillers, action. I like ‘weather’ and ‘setting’ to be a character as much as the others.

That’s an amazing compilation. Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks! These sorts of lists inspire me.

An awesome post, Jacqui. Thank you. Weather intrigues. It is joy-filled and sometimes furious. God is bowling upstairs during a thunderstorm. Be well and enjoy the week. ox

Thanks–weather is fascinating. I like when I can feel it through an author’s words.

Indeed and thank you, Jacqui. Word play is an enjoyable activity. We have about seven months of winter, two days of spring and then summer at our end of the pond in Upstate New York. I love my four seasons. Be well.

7 months of winter. I didn’t know NY was that cold! Good to know so I never move there!

Jacqui, I laughed at your comment. We live near Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake and get frequent lake effect snow storms in winter. When I first moved to this area, I learned about lake effect snowstorms. We have excellent snow removal though so come on over sometime. Colorful in Autumn too.

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These are great, Jacqui! And yes, inspirational. It’s good to see how other authors describe things; it gives ideas on alternates.

It is. There are some very clever minds out there.

What an epic list 😀 Reminds me of a ‘music’ video we were recommended to watch for university called ’50 words for snow.’ It’s fun to think of different ways to describe things!

That must be put out by Eskimos. They know more about snow than anyone I’ve seen.

That’s a long list, Jacqui. So many ways to tell the day. Thanks for sharing this!

It’s one of my longest! Who knew?

That’s a lot of ideas for talking about the weather 🙂

Dinner party chat.

Quite eloquent 🙂

These lists are so inspirational! Thank you for posting this.

It is pretty interesting to view weather through so many literary eyes, innit?

Yes, indeed. I learn so much. 🙂

great list Jacqui. i use the weather regularly in my stories to create a specific mood. thanks for the info.

A bit of unexpected inspiration. Who knew weather was so interesting?

exactly, Jacqui. i also post weather images regularly on instagram. especially the colours of sunrises and sunsets in clouds during different seasons and different weather conditions.

Interesting post, Jacqui. Thanks.

I highlight memorable phrases in the Kindle books I read. Although I no longer transcribe them into a file on my computer (too time-consuming), the mere act of highlighting imprints the phrases in my mind. If an author particularly impresses me, I can scroll through the highlights and reread the highlights for inspiration.

That’s how I do it, too. I like it so well, I’ve migrated from being a print book reader to a Kindle reader.

It’s nice to see the wide variety of language. Not that it is needy. I can describe the weather currently in my area in one word — sucky! 😀

Ah South Korea. It rained most of the time on my one visit there. And no one but me seemed to care!

We’re having a monsoon right now. Don’t remember having a good one of these for a while.

I remember my son telling me July was the typhoon season, which is why we visited in May. Stay safe!

Nothing that crazy. We had a tropical depression pass through, but that’s it. It’s just wet.

I love the idea of keeping a notebook with descriptions that catch your attention. I’m going to start doing this.

Mine is so long,d I added a table of contents with links to the sections! I’m a bit nuts about it.

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I love the way you compile and share these lists with us, Jacqui. They are amazing and so helpful. Can I confess something? I share some of them with my creative writing students, and then give them prompts where they have to include 3 or more things from your lists. Will be interesting to see how I do that with weather. 🙂

This one got a little long. Who knew there were so many clever ways to describe weather?

I am flattered you share them! I would say weather could surprise them.

This one IS long – but weather gives us a lot to talk about and a lot to experience. I love the list. I will say, the prompt my students seem to love the best is. (are you sitting down?) “It was a dark and stormy night…” 🙂

Reblogged this on Marina Costa and commented: Interesting and useful to know.

Thanks for sharing, Marina!

The English should love this…

I would say India not so much. Do you-all get anything other than hot and humid or too-darn-windy?

What a helpful post, Jacqui! It reminds me of how we can put effort into our descriptions.

BTW, you won a book on my blog. Please confirm there.

Ooh, sorry I missed that. I just went over and replied and then emailed my info to you. How exciting!

Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented: I love her lists of descriptions. I hope you find them as helpful as I do.

Thanks for sharing this! It puts to bed any thought that weather is boring, doesn’t it?

That’s quite a collection, Jacqui. Isn’t it amazing that each of us can conjure something unique?

It is! Next time you don’t know what to say to someone, you can eruditely talk about the weather!

That’s so funny. Weather ‘small’ talk. Who would’ve thought. 😂

Great post. That’s a wonderful collection

Thank you so much, Luisa. It’s hard to make weather interesting but some very clever authors have done just that.

Jacqui, I love this post. The more I have been reading, the more I recognize how important it is for authors to paint a picture in your mind. To be able to put you right in the middle of the books setting. Sometimes when my mind has trailed off the story, it is descriptions like these that put my mind right back in.

That’s true, innit. A little inspiration to start your day.

I love your descriptions of weather and the times of day. Such descriptions can help add a sense of time in a story (just as the phases of the moon or the stars can create time (crescent moon in evening is aa new waxing moon, crescent moon in morning before sunrise is a waxing moon just before the “dark of the moon” which are the three days the moon is in the shadow of the earth. As for stars: Orion in winter, Scorpus in summer, etc). The dog star in Canis Major, Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, rising in late summer (as it rises just before daylight) is linked to “dog days” of summer…

I also like the old graveside prayer that describes the end of life: “until the shadows lengthen and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at last.”

What a wonderful poem. I’ve copied it. It captures so much of the fear and hope.

Thanks for these awesome examples, Jacqui! Saving and sharing…

It’s always fun to talk about the weather, innit?

New Jersey weather: moist ‘n’ icky.

Good description, especially the ‘icky’.

I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em.

Oh my, Jacqui. I love your lists and that’s a good long one. Great thought starters. Thanks for sharing your collection!

Since we-all know we must cover weather, I thought these were clever asnd interesting ways to do that!

Ha ha ha. I love weather. 😀

Right now there is only one way to describe the weather here in my city: hot

Here, too, though I have an excellent fan in my home office.

Some great phrases here, Jacqui. I am reading The Long Walk by Bachman/King at the moment and that has some very descriptive phrases in it.

Oooh, I’ll have to look at him. I love nature writers.

It’s not a nature book, it is a dark psychological horror.

Woah! OK, that’s different!

Darn! All the things I was about to write! 😀

Hehee. These are beyond most of what I write but I’ve seen what you turn out. Excellent.

Wonderful post!

Thanks, Ed. Food for thought…

A lot, just wonderful and so helpful.

My goodness …. can I just say ‘HOT’ … luckily today it’s cooler with a sea breeze … I need to read them all – clever and thank you! Cheers Hilary

Hot works. Absolutely.

Hahaha can I just say HOT, or the weather outside is weather yeah?

What a wonderful list, Jacqui! These are descriptions that always make me pause and reread them to fully enjoy them. They do draw the reader deep the story. I enjoyed reading these, thanks:)

Thanks! They do that for me, too, and that’s why I couldn’t just read and move on. I had to note them!

Some of these are quite lovely. Thanks for sharing.

If you recognized them from your outdoors scenes, feel free to add a note!

I actually didn’t recognize any of them. 🤔

OMG, Jacqui. What an amazing list Thanks for sharing.

It’s really nice for those whose plots take place outdoors a lot!

BTW, finished your book. Couldn’t stop reading. Wonderful.

Thank you, Jacqui. You put a smile on my face:)

Wow, great post. Bookmarking.

Amazing how much there is to say about the weather, innit?

I love weather, the seasons, earth and sky. There were some lovely gems in this collection. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Mae. I didn’t used to think much about the weather until I had to write about it, and make it interesting! These really struck me.

A terrific resource Jacqui. Thank you.

Thanks so much, Brigid. I couldn’t believe how many weather descriptors I had!

Nice information thanks

Thanks! Everyone writes about weather, right?

Great list, Jacqui. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thanks, Jill. Who says weather isn’t interesting? Hmm??

I think I’d like to be a meteorologist in my next life. 🙂

Reblogged this on chrismakan .

Thanks for sharing!

Wow this is very educative

I love how some writers weave their words so perfectly.

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Describe The Weather In Writing With Better Vocabulary

When you describe the weather in writing, you set the scene for your story or a part of your story.

It’s an opportunity to show readers the setting rather than tell them about the weather using a couple of quick adjectives.

Using highly descriptive or figurative language and a variety of grammar structures helps you paint the picture vividly in a reader’s mind.

In almost every story, both fiction and nonfiction, there is usually at least one reference to the weather.

Article Contents

How to describe the weather in writing

We all know this famous opening line from Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1830 novel, Paul Clifford.

It was a dark and stormy night.

Many have criticized the phrase, and Writer’s Digest went as far as to call it the literary poster child for bad story starters.

The main issue is that it uses two very weak adjectives: dark and stormy. Neither of them is usefully descriptive.

The second problem with the phrase is that it starts with a grammatical expletive .

When writing about the weather, using it was,  or there was is a common writing fault. It’s because we so often refer to the weather as it.

But few people take into account what follows Bulwer-Lytton’s famous clause. It’s a pity because the complete sentence is a wonderful example of how to describe the weather in writing.

It was a dark and stormy night ; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.

He uses descriptive noun phrases , strong verbs, and powerful adjectives.

The combination of these three elements paints a vivid picture for readers.

Choosing your vocabulary

You can find many lists of common and unusual words to describe the weather, so you have plenty of choices.

But you should avoid words that are too simplistic. It was hot, cold, windy, or rainy are all very weak expressions.

But if you describe the heat, the cold, the wind, or the rain with noun phrases, you can improve these easily.

The sun started baking early across the plains, delivering a scorching promise for the day ahead.

The cruel icy wind cut like a knife across her cheeks.

Rain, as always, arrived too little, too late to save the crops.

Words that are not widely understood are also worth avoiding. While it’s interesting to find new words, not all of them are useful.

A good example is petrichor. It is the smell or scent of rain arriving after a period of dry weather.

But it is difficult to use, and it might send readers hunting for a dictionary.

The petrichor gave a hint of hope to the farmers.

It would be better to use a descriptive phrase.

The sweet far off scent of rain on dying grass gave hope to the farmers.

Brontide is another, meaning the sound of distant thunder or rumblings of an earth tremor. Again, it’s a great word to know, but with very limited use in writing.

Try this simple formula

Anytime you need to write about the weather, keep this little trick in mind.

Start with a noun phrase, use a strong verb , then add a descriptive clause .

You also need to describe the noun and verb with adjectives and adverbs.

Here’s a quick example.

The heavy dark clouds rolled slowly and low across the parched pastures, but they were heartbreakers, as not a drop of rain fell before the cruel wind carried them away.

It’s an easy way to make sure you avoid the grammatical expletive and weak adjectives.

You can also experiment with similes or metaphors . For example, raining cats and dogs.

Use verbs that sound like the weather

Onomatopoeic verbs and words are perfect for describing the weather because they make a sound.

Here are a few examples to illustrate sound words.

The pitter-patter of raindrops.

Thunder rumbled overhead.

Light hail pinged on the window pane.

With each step, the fresh snow crunched underfoot.

A bolt of lightning cracked across the night sky.

A cold north wind hissed through the trees.

A sudden boom of thunder forewarned us of the approaching storm.

Verbs and words like these are extremely useful because they are action words and highly descriptive.

This article is not a lesson or lecture on how to describe the weather in writing.

It’s purely a reminder that you can always improve.

I have listed a few ideas above, but there are many more ways you can make the weather more interesting.

All it takes is to remember that the setting for a scene or a story needs careful thought and imagination.

But if there are two key takeaways from my article, they are these.

1. Avoid using the grammatical expletive when referencing the weather.

2. Use noun phrases and strong verbs.

If you do those two things, the rest of your weather scene setting will come very easily.

Related reading: Words To Avoid In Writing That Say Nothing

About The Author

Derek Haines

More articles.

Learning About Writing Styles Can Help You Write Better

How To Include Foreign Phrases In A Novel

What Is Tone In Writing And How To Use It – With Examples

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101 Words To Describe Weather

Writers know that using the weather in their descriptions is a great way to make stories more relatable. Use this comprehensive list of words that describe weather  when you write.

Writers Write is a resource for writers and we have written about words that describe taste , smell , sound , and touch  in previous posts. (We even have one for words that describe colours .) In this post, I have included words that describe weather.

Weather is a wonderful tool for writers. We can use it to foreshadow , create a mood , complicate a plot , show a character , and increase or decrease the pace of a story. We can even use it as a motif .

A setting without the weather is like a character without a wardrobe.

Remember that we need to describe weather through our characters’ interactions with their environments. We should not describe it like a weather report. You could show how cold it is by the clothes they choose to wear or mention the weather in dialogue.

Whatever you do, don’t leave it out. There are unintended consequences to a lack of setting , including a static character, a lack of atmosphere, an inability for the reader to relate to the place and time in the story, and a lack of details.

What Is Weather?

According to Oxford it is ‘the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.’

Words To Describe Weather

General words describing weather.

• climate – the type of weather that a country or region has
• climate change – changes in the earth’s weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide
• meteorology – the scientific study of weather
• seasonal – suitable or typical of the time of year it is now
• spell – a period when there is a particular type of weather
• weather forecast  – a report on likely weather conditions for a period of time in the future
• zone – one of the large areas that the world is divided into according to its temperature

Words Describing Warm Weather

• balmy – warm and pleasant
• blistering – extremely hot in a way that is uncomfortable
• dog days – the hottest days of the year
• heatwave – a continuous period of very hot weather, especially when this is unusual
• Indian summer – a period of warm weather in autumn
• scorcher – an extremely hot day
• sunny – not stormy or cloudy
• thaw – ice and snow turns into water
• the heat – very hot weather
• tropical – like weather near the equator, climate that is frost-free

Words Describing Cold Weather

• bleak – very cold and grey
• biting – so cold that it makes you feel uncomfortable
• brisk – fairly cold and a fairly strong wind is blowing
• crisp – cold and dry
• fresh – fairly cold and the wind is blowing
• frosty – cold enough to produce frost
• hard – a very cold winter
• harsh – extremely cold and unpleasant
• icy – very cold, like ice
• raw – cold and unpleasant
• snowy – covered with snow

Words Describing Pleasant Weather

• calm – very little wind
• clear – no clouds, rain, etc.
• clement – pleasant because it is neither very hot nor very cold
• cloudless – no clouds in the sky
• equable – does not change very much
• fair – pleasant and not raining
• fine – sunny and not raining
• pleasant – dry and neither very hot nor very cold
• still – without wind
• temperate – a temperate climate or region is never extremely hot or extremely cold
• windless – without any wind

Words To Describe Unpleasant Weather

• bone-dry – completely without water or moisture
• fierce – very strong or severe
• foul – unpleasant, with rain, snow, or wind
• gale-force – an extremely strong wind
• gusty – the wind blowing in gusts
• humid – hot and wet in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
• muggy –  warm in an unpleasant way because the air feels wet
• murky – dark and unpleasant because of fog, clouds, etc.
• severe – extremely unpleasant and likely to cause harm or damage
• sultry – the air is hot and slightly wet
• threatening – clouds, skies, or seas show that the weather is likely to be bad
• torrential – rain falling in large amounts
• unseasonable – not the type of weather that you expect in a particular season
• windy – with a lot of wind

Words To Describe Wet & Cloudy Weather

• bank – a large mass of cloud or fog
• billow – a cloud that rises and moves in a large mass
• blizzard – a snowstorm with very strong winds
• cirrocumulus – small round clouds that form lines high in the sky
• cirrostratus – a thin layer of cloud found very high in the sky
• cirrus – a type of thin cloud found very high in the sky
• cloudy – full of clouds
• column – something that rises up into the air in a straight line
• cumulonimbus – a mass of very tall thick cloud that usually brings rain and sometimes thunder
• cumulus – a large low white cloud that is round at the top and flat at the bottom
• dull – when there are a lot of clouds and it is rather dark
• fog – a thick cloud that forms close to the ground or to water and is difficult to see through (fog is thicker than mist)
• fogbound – not able to operate normally because of thick fog
• foggy – full of fog or covered with fog
• gather – if clouds gather, they start to appear and cover part of the sky
• grey – when it is not very bright, because there is a lot of cloud
• hurricane – a violent storm with very strong winds
• inclement – unpleasantly cold or wet
• lower – if clouds lower, they are very dark, as if a storm is coming
• mist – small drops of liquid in the air
• misty – lots of mist in the air
• nimbus – a dark grey rain cloud
• overcast – a sky completely full of clouds
• pall – cloud that covers an area and makes it darker
• pea souper – thick low cloud that prevents you from seeing anything
• scud – clouds moving quickly
• sea mist – a thin low cloud that comes onto the land from the sea
• steam- the wet substance that forms on windows and mirrors when wet air suddenly becomes hot or cold
• storm cloud – a very dark cloud
• squall – a sudden violent gust of wind or localized storm, especially one bringing rain, snow, or sleet.
• thundercloud – a storm cloud producing thunder
• tsunami – an extremely large wave in the sea
• typhoon – a violent tropical storm with very strong winds
• vapour – very small drops of water or other liquids in the air that make the air feel wet
• vog – smog that contains dust and gas from volcanoes

Words To Describe Changes In Weather

• break – if the weather breaks, it changes unexpectedly, and usually becomes worse
• break through – if the sun breaks through the clouds, it appears from behind them
• brighten up – if the weather brightens up, it becomes sunnier
• clear up – if the weather clears up, the clouds or rain go away
• close in – if the weather closes in, it becomes unpleasant
• cloud – to become darker because grey clouds are forming in the sky
• ease – if bad weather such as wind or rain eases, it becomes less strong
• fickle – weather that is fickle changes often and unexpectedly
• lift – if something such as cloud or fog lifts, the weather improves and you can see clearly again
• melt away – if ice or snow melts away, it changes into water as it gets warmer
• thaw – if the weather thaws, it becomes warmer and causes ice or snow to change into liquid
• track – if weather tracks in a particular direction, it moves in that direction

The Last Word

I hope these words that describe weather help you with your writing.

If you’re looking for help with describing setting, buy our Setting Up The Setting Workbook .

More Posts Like This One:

• 155 Words To Describe An Author’s Tone
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• 75 Words That Describe Smells
• 20 Words Used To Describe Specific Tastes And Flavours
• 209 Words To Describe Touch
• 204 Words That Describe Colours
• 106 Ways To Describe Sounds
• Cheat Sheets for Writing Body Language
• 350 Character Traits

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Sources: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/general-words-for-climate-and-the-weather https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/warm-and-hot-weather https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/words-used-to-describe-cold-weather https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/words-used-to-describe-calm-and-pleasant-weather https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/words-used-to-describe-unpleasant-weather https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/moisture-in-the-air-clouds-and-cloudy-weather https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/changes-in-the-weather

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And nowadays there’s also Pyrocumulonimbus.

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How to Describe a Storm in Writing

Whether they're ruthless tornadoes or torrential hurricanes, storms can add atmosphere and conflict to a personal narrative or story. The use of vivid description is a crucial tool for bringing these weather phenomena to life on paper and moving your plot forward. Using figurative language and active verbs can help you place readers right in the middle of the rain, wind and thunder.

Mighty Metaphors and Storm Similes

A simile is a type of description that makes an explicit comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as." A metaphor, by contrast, is a direct comparison that does not use these words. You can use these devices to create surprising descriptions of your storm. If you're describing a hailstorm, for example, you might use a simile to write, "The hailstones clattered to the ground like marbles spilled from a box." To use a metaphor, you might write, "An avalanche of hailstones fell from the sky."

The Sound of Storms

In real life, the sounds of nature are often key indicators of approaching storms. You can bring these sound effects to your descriptions by using onomatopoeia, a device where words mimic the sounds of their meaning. For example, if a thunderstorm figures prominently in your story, the thunder could "rumble" or "boom," rain could "patter" against the windows" and wind could "rush" across a field. Try making a list of all the sounds the storm in your narrative might involve and brainstorm onomatopoeic words to describe them.

The Character of Storms

If a storm is central to your story's conflict, you might consider having the weather literally take on a life of its own. Personification occurs when a writer gives human characteristics, such as actions and emotions, to an inanimate object. If your characters are trapped in open water during a hurricane, you might write, "The angry waves smacked against the side of the boat." Although water can't feel anger, the description of the waves as "angry" adds emotional texture and characterization to the storm.

Vivid Verbs

Because bad weather can often get out of control, describing a storm is not the time to skimp on verb usage. Weak verbs, such as "was" or "were," drain your descriptions of energy rather than infuse them with detail. Using specific, active verbs for the storm's motion gives readers a more detailed image of the story's events. For example, the sentence, "The dark sky was lit up by lightning," is a good start, but revising it to include an active verb can make the description even more forceful: "Lightning flashed across the sky."

• Western Michigan University: Basics of Metaphor and Simile
• Read Write Think: Onomatopoeia
• Universal Design for Learning: Literary Devices: Personification
• Writing Commons: Avoid Unnecessary "To Be" Verbs"

Kori Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in professional writing and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and has been crafting online and print educational materials since 2006. She taught creative writing and composition at West Virginia University and the University of Akron and her fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in numerous literary journals.

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On mastering the art of writing descriptive passages on certain weather conditions

It is, in my opinion, a difficult task to describe certain weather conditions (e.g., an overcast sky, the falling rain, the storm, the rising of the rainbow, the falling of the snow, etc.) effectively. Indeed, I feel that many contemporary writers resort to clichéd expression to handle such situations without fully conveying their emotions as they intended. My question is:

What are some good resources (i.e., particularly well-written passages or poetry, scientific accounts, or essays on literary technique, etc.) that could help in mastering these kind of descriptions?

• description

• This search may be of use to you: Describing Weather –  CLockeWork Commented Mar 12, 2015 at 9:05
• Go outside. Take something with you which allows you to take notes. Observe the weather. Write down notes about it. Write down images, metaphors, sensations, and literal descriptions. Go back inside and polish your notes. Repeat until satisfied. –  Lauren-Clear-Monica-Ipsum Commented Mar 12, 2015 at 11:14

2 Answers 2

I suffer with the same problem, and I hate resorting to using a cliché when I'm writing.

I don't have any examples of resources for you, but I can give you some of my techniques for dealing with the weather.

I try to avoid weather descriptions as much as possible, because each weather condition falls into around 3 standard descriptions (mild/howling/biting wind etc.)

I tend to have characters experience weather in juxtaposition to how it should make them feel, like listening to raindrops from inside and it soothing them, rather than rain usually being an inconvenience. This instantly moves you away from the generic descriptions.

I would suggest simply mentioning what the condition is, and go more into a description of how it makes the character feel.

You can let the reader infer from context what the weather is like from this.

If the weather description is important, you could always try personifying the weather, and introduce it as you would another character.

This opens you up to a different host of possibilities, and thinking outside the box for how to describe it.

For example, you could talk about how the wind tries to sneak under layers of clothing, giving it a snakelike and predatory feel.

Or you could speak about the hot relentless sun (a little clichéd) like it's a stalker, following your character through the streets and not allowing them to get a breath.

Fair weather could be compared to an old acquaintance, taking a stroll together and reminiscing about old times.

Overall, think of different ways to approach the description, because it's hard to overcome the clichés. They are clichés for a reason.

Hope this helps!

I would recommend Melville, particularly his descriptions of various events out at sea. He is a superb describer of action.

With respect to weather, connecting it to the familiar is one method. Metaphors will be helpful here. You are correct in wanting to avoid clichés.

Simplicity is your friend here.

Consider this passage from Marquez, "The sky crumbled into a set of destructive thunderstorms."

It tells us all we need to know. More laborious descriptions of weather have to be done carefully because at some point, the reader loses the picture. The more specific your weather becomes, the less likely they are to follow (if wowing the reader is your priority).

First, what basic type are we dealing with. Snow, rain? I tend to build weather descriptions by emphasizing throughout.

The snow filled the air like ash. It was so cold, the windows cracked. The rain had the house feeling like a car wash.

And of course it's difficult because weather is non-human, and it's easy to forget the humanity is most important.

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20 of the Best Words to Describe a Storm in Writing

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

What’s great when searching for words to describe a storm, whether for a storm you are looking to write about in your novel or something else, is that there are endless possibilities.

Words to describe how a storm is can vary as there are different aspects you could focus on, and storms can occur in different places.

Here are some words to describe two different aspects of a storm and where one can take place.

The best words to describe a storm with lightning

  Finding the right words to describe a storm with lightning is particularly hard as some people are afraid of it, whereas others think that it’s awesome, or both.   Here are some words to describe a storm with lightning:  

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25 of the Best Words and Phrases to Describe Rain

Top words for describing the sound of thunder

  When looking for words to describe a storm, don’t forget to consider those that describe the most distinct sound you will hear during one: thunder.   There are many words to describe a storm with thunder and we have compiled the best of them below.  

25 Perfect Words to Help Describe Your Pain and Suffering

The best words to describe a storm at sea

  Sailors have seen their fair share of bad weather, so you need to think and feel as they would when using words to describe a storm.   To get the best words to describe a storm at sea when you haven’t witnessed one, try to imagine what feelings sailors of old and modern times would share.  

25 of the Best Words to Describe Heat and Hot Weather

  Storms are one of the most amazing weather occurrences when you consider how they have the power to build and destroy all in one watery bundle.   We hope that you’ve found a few words to describe a storm that can accurately express how you felt during one.  

Describe a Bad Weather Experience IELTS Cue Card

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

Describe a bad weather experience

You should say:

What sort of bad weather it was?

When did it happen?

Where you were then?

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

There is no denying this conviction that good weather uplifts our mood; on the other hand, bad weather sometimes puts us in a state of absolute disarray.

Although I have had many situations when I experienced terrible weather, one is exceptional and worth mentioning.

What sort of bad weather was it? When did it happen?

Last year during the Monsoon, there was torrential rainfall, and due to that, the whole city went into chaos as rivers, streams, and other waterbodies were overflowing, and walking in the streets was a daunting task . Moreover, it caused landslides, which damaged buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, and affected the livelihood of the weaker sections of society.

The heavy downpour disrupted transportation and communication networks, making it challenging for people to travel and contact their near and dear ones.

Furthermore, the heavy rainfall also damaged crops, leading to financial losses for agriculturists and traders. Additionally, it led to the spread of diseases like cholera and malaria.

Where were you then?

I was with my family during that time, and we were travelling to a hill station to celebrate the summer vacation. But, unfortunately, the joy and excitement we had for the trip were short-lived because the torrential rainfall played the role of a spoilsport.

We waited for the rain to stop, and when it declined, we rushed back home and sighed in relief.

The horrifying memories of that day are still etched in my memories.

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Describing bad weather

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towards the direction that is the opposite to the one in which you are facing

Robbing, looting, and embezzling: talking about stealing

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