Weather Beyond Hot and Cold
B1+/B2 Weather Vocabulary, Collocations, Intensity Scales, and Risk Judgement
Exercise 1
Match each weather expression with the meaning it has in a forecast or real conversation.
Word / Expression
Meaning
Exercise 2
Choose the word or expression that forms the most natural weather collocation.
1.The airport was closed because of _____ fog.
2.A sudden _____ of wind turned my umbrella inside out.
3.The region experienced _____ rainfall, and several streets were flooded.
4.Drivers were warned about _____ ice on bridges before sunrise.
5.The temperature is expected to _____ below zero overnight.
6.Visibility was extremely _____ because of the thick fog.
7.The sun was _____ down all afternoon, so we stayed in the shade.
8.The rain was _____ the windows during the storm.
9.After the sleet, the pavement became dangerous because of _____.
10.The sea was choppy after a violent _____.
11.I was dazzled by the _____ bouncing off the snow.
12.The sun shone _____ through the fog.
Exercise 3
Complete each weather scale or chain with the most suitable word from the bank. Tap once on mobile, then tap the gap.
📚 Vocabulary Bank — Drag the words below:
1.Temperature: cool -> [ Drop here ] -> warm -> hot.
2.Extreme heat: hot -> very hot -> [ Drop here ].
3.Cold conditions: chilly -> cold -> [ Drop here ].
4.Rain intensity: [ Drop here ] -> rain -> heavy rain.
5.Heavy rain: heavy rain -> [ Drop here ].
6.Wind intensity: [ Drop here ] -> strong wind -> gale.
7.Strong wind: breeze -> strong wind -> [ Drop here ].
8.Snow conditions: snowfall -> snowstorm -> [ Drop here ].
9.Poor visibility: mist -> [ Drop here ] -> fog.
10.Serious poor visibility: fog -> thick fog -> [ Drop here ].
11.Winter mix: rain -> [ Drop here ] -> possible ice on roads.
12.Hidden road danger after wet freezing weather: [ Drop here ].
Exercise 4
Choose the most precise word or expression for each realistic situation.
1.It was extremely hot, humid, and uncomfortable, even in the shade.
2.The sky was grey and completely covered with clouds.
3.Small pieces of ice fell during the storm and damaged several cars.
4.The snow had partly melted and become wet, dirty, and difficult to walk through.
5.The morning was cold, and a thin white layer covered the grass.
6.Rain and wet snow were falling together.
7.There had been no rain for weeks, and farmers were worried about crops.
8.Snow was falling so heavily that roads were closed and people could hardly see.
9.A mass of snow rushed down the mountain and blocked the road.
10.The ground shook, windows rattled, and people felt a mild quake.
11.Wet soil and rock slid down a slope and blocked the railway.
12.A violently rotating column of air moved across the fields.
Exercise 5
Choose the most natural or safest response in each weather situation.
1.The forecast says visibility will drop sharply during your evening drive.
2.You see lightning nearby while walking in an open area.
3.The forecast says the storm will ease off after midnight.
4.You leave home in bright weather, but the sky clouds over quickly.
5.A friend says, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes."
6.Your colleague says moving to the sunny side of a building might improve their mood.
7.You were caught in heavy rain because you trusted a forecast too optimistically.
8.The road looks wet after sleet, and the temperature is below zero.
9.Persistent rain has disrupted transport for two days, but there is no lightning or flooding.
10.Someone says, "At minus 30 degrees, I can feel the cold in my bones."
N
E
R
D
Word Origin
Naturally Eccentric, Remarkably Different
Word Origin
Naturally Eccentric, Remarkably Different
| Word / Phrase | Category | Origin & Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| scorching | usage | Use scorching for heat that feels burning or uncomfortable. It is stronger than hot and often describes sun or weather. |
| sweltering | usage | Sweltering usually suggests heavy, humid heat that makes people sweat. It is about discomfort, not just the number on the thermometer. |
| drizzle / downpour | usage | Drizzle is very light rain. A downpour is heavy rain, usually for a limited time. They sit at opposite ends of a rain-intensity scale. |
| dense fog / visibility drops | usage | Dense means thick or concentrated. In dense fog, visibility drops, so drivers, pilots, and pedestrians cannot see far ahead. |
| black ice | usage | Black ice is a thin, hard-to-see layer of ice on roads or pavements. The danger is that the surface may look only wet. |
| breeze / gust / gale | usage | A breeze is light wind. A gust is a sudden short burst of wind. A gale is a very strong wind. |
| sleet / hail / slush | usage | Sleet is rain mixed with ice or wet snow. Hail falls as small balls or stones of ice. Slush is wet, partly melted snow on the ground. |
| drought / desert / dessert | usage | A drought is a long period with little or no rain. A desert is a very dry place. A dessert is sweet food after a meal. |