Series ID: EDKS-BASIC-ZH-0017 · Lesson No.017 · 零基础英语第十七课 · Pre-A1 → A1
Weather and Seasons | 天气与季节
It’s sunny today. It’s twenty-eight degrees. It may rain this afternoon.
今天晴天。二十八度。今天下午可能下雨。
Weather English helps you decide what to wear, when to travel, whether to carry an umbrella, and how to talk about today’s conditions and tomorrow’s plans.
天气英语不是只学 sunny、rainy。真正用途是：看懂天气、决定穿什么、判断出行、准备雨具，并把天气和计划连接起来。
Chinese Edition Hub · 中文版入口 · ← Lesson No.016 · Shopping and Money
The weather map | 天气路线
- sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy
- hot, warm, cool, cold
- temperature and degrees
- rain, shower, storm
- snow, fog and ice as recognition vocabulary
- spring, summer, autumn/fall, winter
- wet/dry seasons in tropical climates
- What is the weather like?
- How hot/cold is it?
- weather + clothing choices
- weather + transport choices
- forecast language
- today / tomorrow / this afternoon / tonight
- may / might / will as forecast recognition
- weather warnings and simple safety language
- Mandarin 天气 / 下雨 / 很热 vs English weather structures
1. What is the weather like? | 天气怎么样？
- What’s the weather like today?
- It’s sunny.
- It’s cloudy.
- It’s raining.
- It’s windy.
This is the core weather question. Learn it as a complete chunk.
2. Sunny | 晴朗
- It’s sunny today.
- Tomorrow will be sunny. — forecast preview
- It’s a sunny morning.
sunny is an adjective. English usually uses be: It is sunny.
3. Cloudy | 多云
- It’s cloudy.
- The sky is cloudy.
- It’s cloudy but warm.
4. Rain | 雨
rain can be a noun or a verb:
- There is a lot of rain today. — noun
- It is raining. — verb form
- It rains a lot here. — habitual pattern
5. Rainy | 多雨的 / 下雨天气
- It’s a rainy day.
- The rainy season starts soon.
In everyday speech about now, It’s raining is often more natural than It’s rainy.
6. Windy | 有风
- It’s windy today.
- It’s very windy outside.
- The wind is strong.
wind is the noun; windy is the adjective.
7. Hot | 热
- It’s hot today.
- It’s very hot outside.
- The room is hot.
English weather often uses dummy subject it: It’s hot.
8. Warm | 温暖
- It’s warm today.
- The afternoon is warm.
warm is less hot than hot.
9. Cool | 凉爽
- It’s cool this morning.
- The evening is cool.
cool can also mean fashionable or impressive in informal English. Weather context removes ambiguity.
10. Cold | 冷
- It’s cold outside.
- It’s very cold tonight.
cold can describe weather, objects, food, or illness-related sensations depending on context.
11. Temperature | 温度
- What’s the temperature?
- It’s twenty-eight degrees.
- The temperature is ten degrees.
In international contexts, specify Celsius or Fahrenheit when ambiguity matters.
12. Degrees Celsius | 摄氏度
- 28°C → twenty-eight degrees Celsius
- 10°C → ten degrees Celsius
Singapore and many countries commonly use Celsius. Some countries commonly use Fahrenheit.
13. Above zero / below zero | 零上 / 零下
- five degrees above zero
- three degrees below zero
- minus three degrees
This is useful for cold-climate travel.
14. Shower | 阵雨
- There may be showers this afternoon.
- A short shower is possible.
shower can mean a short period of rain, and also washing in a bathroom. Context decides.
15. Storm | 暴风雨
- There is a storm coming.
- A storm is possible tonight.
- The storm is strong.
Weather warnings require current official information. Language practice does not replace local safety instructions.
16. Thunder and lightning | 雷与闪电
- thunder — the sound
- lightning — the flash/electrical discharge
- I can hear thunder.
- I can see lightning.
17. Fog | 雾
- It’s foggy.
- There is thick fog.
- Visibility is low. — recognition language
Fog can affect travel. Check current transport guidance when necessary.
18. Snow | 雪
- It’s snowing.
- There is snow on the ground.
- It may snow tonight.
Useful for travel even if the learner lives in a tropical climate.
19. Ice | 冰
- There is ice on the road.
- The ground is icy.
icy means covered with or like ice.
20. Humid | 潮湿闷热
- It’s hot and humid.
- The air feels humid.
This is especially useful in tropical climates.
21. Dry | 干燥
- The air is dry.
- It’s hot and dry.
22. Spring | 春季
spring is one of the four traditional temperate seasons.
- Spring is often mild.
Season patterns vary by latitude and climate. Do not assume every country has the same four-season experience.
23. Summer | 夏季
- Summer is hot in many places.
- We travel in summer.
24. Autumn / fall | 秋季
autumn is common in British English. fall is common in American English.
- Autumn can be cool.
- Leaves fall in autumn in many temperate places.
25. Winter | 冬季
- Winter is cold in many places.
- It may snow in winter.
26. Tropical seasons | 热带季节
Many tropical places are better described by wet/dry or monsoon patterns rather than four sharply different temperature seasons.
- wet season
- dry season
- monsoon season
Use climate language that matches the actual place.
27. Today | 今天
- It’s sunny today.
- It’s hot today.
- It is raining today.
28. Tomorrow | 明天
- Tomorrow will be cooler.
- It may rain tomorrow.
- Tomorrow is expected to be sunny. — recognition language
Forecast language naturally introduces future forms.
29. This morning / afternoon / evening | 今天早上/下午/晚上
- It is cool this morning.
- It may rain this afternoon.
- It will be windy this evening.
30. Tonight | 今晚
- It will be cooler tonight.
- There may be rain tonight.
31. Forecast | 天气预报
- weather forecast
- today’s forecast
- tomorrow’s forecast
Example: The forecast says it may rain this afternoon.
32. May / might | 可能
- It may rain.
- It might rain.
Both express possibility. At beginner level, learn them as forecast phrases rather than trying to master every modal nuance.
33. Will | 将会
- It will be hot tomorrow.
- It will rain later.
will is a useful future form. Lesson 020 will organise future-time language more fully.
34. Probability language | 概率语言认识
Forecasts may show percentages such as 40% chance of rain. This means the forecast expresses a probability, not certainty.
At A1, learners mainly need to recognise that 40% does not mean “it will definitely rain for 40% of the day”.
35. Weather and clothing | 天气决定衣服
- It’s cold. Wear a coat.
- It’s raining. Take an umbrella.
- It’s hot. Wear light clothes.
- It’s sunny. Take sun protection appropriate to your needs.
Clothing choices depend on actual conditions and personal needs.
36. Umbrella | 雨伞
- Take an umbrella.
- I have an umbrella in my bag.
- Do you need an umbrella?
37. Weather and transport | 天气与交通
- It is raining, so I will take the bus.
- The roads may be wet.
- Flights may be delayed in bad weather. — recognition language
For real travel decisions, check live transport and official weather information.
38. Good weather / bad weather | 好天气 / 坏天气
These are subjective phrases.
- The weather is good for walking.
- The weather is bad for a picnic.
Better English often says what the weather is good or bad for.
39. Weather question ladder | 天气问句阶梯
- What’s the weather like?
- How hot is it?
- Is it raining?
- Will it rain later?
- Do I need an umbrella?
- What should I wear? — recognition/preview
40. Mandarin transfer: 天气很热 | English uses it
- 今天很热。 → It’s hot today.
- 外面很冷。 → It’s cold outside.
English commonly uses dummy subject it in weather expressions.
41. Mandarin transfer: 下雨 | English verb structure
- 下雨了。 → It’s raining.
- 明天可能下雨。 → It may rain tomorrow.
Do not say “Today have rain” as a general direct translation.
42. Mandarin transfer: 有风 | It’s windy
- 今天有风。 → It’s windy today.
English often prefers an adjective weather pattern rather than a literal “have wind” structure.
43. Mandarin transfer: 二十八度 | Add the weather frame when needed
- 二十八度。 → It’s twenty-eight degrees.
English normally needs the subject and verb in a complete sentence.
44. Listening: weather words often come after It’s | 听 It’s 后面
- It’s sunny.
- It’s cloudy.
- It’s windy.
- It’s hot.
Recognising the repeated frame reduces listening load.
45. Listening: rain vs raining | 名词和动词
- rain
- raining
- rainy
Listen to the full sentence rather than only the root word.
46. Reading practice A: today’s weather | 阅读 A
Today is warm and cloudy. The temperature is twenty-four degrees in the morning. It may rain after three o’clock. The evening will be cooler and windy. Mei takes a light jacket and an umbrella because she will come home late.
- What is the weather like?
- What is the morning temperature?
- When may it rain?
- What will the evening be like?
- What does Mei take?
47. Reading practice B: winter travel | 阅读 B
David is travelling to a cold city in winter. The forecast says daytime temperatures will be around two degrees Celsius and nights may fall below zero. Snow is possible. David packs a warm coat, gloves, a scarf and suitable shoes. He also checks local transport information before leaving the hotel.
- Which season is it?
- What temperature is expected in the day?
- What may happen at night?
- What weather is possible?
- What clothing does David pack?
48. Reading practice C: tropical weather | 阅读 C
Anna lives in a tropical city. It is warm throughout the year, but rainfall changes. Some months are wetter than others. On hot humid afternoons, showers can develop quickly. Anna checks the forecast before long outdoor activities and carries water and an umbrella when needed.
- Is the city warm only in summer?
- What changes during the year?
- What can happen on humid afternoons?
- What does Anna check?
49. Writing practice: today’s weather | 写今天的天气
Write five sentences:
- condition
- temperature
- wind/rain
- what you wear
- what you take
50. Writing practice: simple forecast | 写简单预报
Use:
- Tomorrow will be ______.
- The temperature will be ______ degrees.
- It may ______ in the afternoon.
- Tonight will be ______.
This is language practice. Use real current sources for actual forecasts.
51. Speaking practice: weather decision | 天气决策口语
Choose one condition and answer:
- What is the weather like?
- What will you wear?
- What will you take?
- How will you travel?
52. Weather repair language | 没听清天气信息
- Did you say thirteen or thirty degrees?
- Did you say rain this afternoon or this evening?
- Can you say the temperature again?
Numbers and timing deserve confirmation.
53. Simple weather warnings | 天气警示语言
- Heavy rain is expected.
- Strong winds are possible.
- Roads may be slippery.
- Follow local weather warnings.
These are recognition phrases. In actual severe weather, use current official guidance.
54. Error clinic | 常见错误诊所
| Common error | Better English | What broke? |
|---|---|---|
| Today very hot. ✗ | It’s very hot today. ✓ | it + be missing |
| Today have rain. ✗ | It’s raining today. ✓ | weather structure |
| There is windy. ✗ | It’s windy. ✓ | adjective weather frame |
| It is rain. ✗ | It’s raining. / There is rain. ✓ | word form |
| Twenty-eight degree. ✗ | Twenty-eight degrees. ✓ | plural unit |
| Tomorrow maybe rain. △ | It may rain tomorrow. ✓ | subject + modal |
55. First weak link diagnosis | 第一个卡点诊断
- I know weather words but say fragments → it + be frame.
- I mix rain/raining/rainy → word-class problem.
- I know conditions but not temperature → number-unit language.
- I can describe now but not forecast → future/modal language.
- I understand forecast words but cannot act → clothing/transport decision link.
- I confuse probability with certainty → forecast interpretation.
56. Retrieval lab | 提取练习
- 今天晴天。 → ______
- 今天多云。 → ______
- 正在下雨。 → ______
- 今天有风。 → ______
- 今天很热。 → ______
- 二十八度。 → ______
- 明天可能下雨。 → ______
- 今晚会冷一点。 → ______
- 带雨伞。 → ______
- 天气怎么样？ → ______
Suggested answers: It’s sunny today. / It’s cloudy today. / It’s raining. / It’s windy today. / It’s hot today. / It’s twenty-eight degrees. / It may rain tomorrow. / It will be cooler tonight. / Take an umbrella. / What’s the weather like?
57. Ten-minute daily practice | 每天十分钟
| 2 min | conditions | 天气状态 |
| 2 min | temperature | 温度 |
| 2 min | today/tomorrow | 时间 |
| 2 min | clothing decisions | 穿着 |
| 2 min | one spoken forecast | 口头预报 |
58. Seven-day training cycle | 七天训练
| Day 1 | sun/cloud/rain/wind | 基础天气 |
| Day 2 | hot/warm/cool/cold | 温度感觉 |
| Day 3 | degrees and numbers | 数字温度 |
| Day 4 | seasons/climates | 季节气候 |
| Day 5 | forecast may/will | 预报 |
| Day 6 | clothing and transport choices | 决策 |
| Day 7 | one-minute forecast | 综合输出 |
59. Self-test: 30 questions | 30 题自测
- Translate: 晴天。
- Translate: 多云。
- Translate: 正在下雨。
- Translate: 有风。
- Translate: 很热。
- Translate: 很冷。
- Say: 28°C.
- Ask the temperature.
- Ask what the weather is like.
- Translate: 阵雨。
- Translate: 暴风雨。
- Translate: 雷。
- Translate: 闪电。
- Translate: 雾。
- Translate: 雪。
- Name four seasons.
- Translate: 雨季。
- Translate: 明天可能下雨。
- Translate: 今晚会更冷。
- Translate: 带雨伞。
- Correct: Today very hot.
- Correct: Today have rain.
- Correct: There is windy.
- Correct: It is rain.
- Correct: Twenty-eight degree.
- Explain rain/raining/rainy.
- Explain may vs certainty.
- Give one weather + clothing decision.
- Give one weather + transport decision.
- Give a four-line forecast.
Answer key | 答案
1 It’s sunny; 2 It’s cloudy; 3 It’s raining; 4 It’s windy; 5 It’s hot; 6 It’s cold; 7 twenty-eight degrees Celsius; 8 What’s the temperature?; 9 What’s the weather like?; 10 shower; 11 storm; 12 thunder; 13 lightning; 14 fog; 15 snow; 16 spring/summer/autumn or fall/winter; 17 wet/rainy season; 18 It may rain tomorrow; 19 It will be cooler tonight; 20 Take an umbrella; 21 It’s very hot today; 22 It’s raining today; 23 It’s windy; 24 It’s raining / There is rain; 25 twenty-eight degrees; 26 noun/verb form/adjective; 27 may expresses possibility; 28–30 answers vary.
60. For parents and teachers | 给家长和老师
Use real weather observations for language practice, but distinguish observation from forecast. “It is raining now” can be seen directly. “It may rain tonight” depends on forecast information.
For Mandarin speakers, explicitly teach the English weather subject it. Many transfer errors disappear once It’s hot / It’s windy / It’s raining becomes automatic.
Link weather to decisions. Ask what the learner will wear, carry or change. This turns vocabulary into action.
For severe-weather information, direct learners to current official local sources. Language lessons should not become a substitute for live safety guidance.
61. Final real-world challenge | 最终真实任务
- Name ten weather conditions.
- Say a temperature correctly.
- Ask about today’s weather.
- Describe today’s weather in four sentences.
- Name four seasons and a tropical season pattern.
- Give one tomorrow forecast with may.
- Give one tomorrow forecast with will.
- Choose suitable clothing for three conditions.
- Make one transport decision based on weather.
- Give a one-minute weather briefing.
Next: Lesson No.018 | 下一课
Weather changes how we travel. Next, learn buses, trains, stations, tickets, directions, platforms, departures, arrivals and the complete beginner journey.
Lesson No.018 · Transport and Travel · 交通与出行
Reference floor: British Council A1 Elementary · British Council A1–A2 Vocabulary · Cambridge English Vocabulary in Use: Elementary.
