Everyday English · Checking weather, packing for activities, planning or changing outings
Weather Reports & Outdoor Plans: 18 Everyday English Words
Learn everyday Canadian weather language to understand forecasts, prepare for outdoor activities, describe changing conditions and respond to official notices.
What to do
Weather words are useful before a field trip, swimming practice, a park visit or a walk to school. Read the forecast for the correct place and time; compare it with the weather outside.
The public set covers 18 words that come up in ordinary conversations and weather messages. The Family set adds details about conditions, forecast updates and adjusting plans. Try the word in one real sentence before memorising definitions.
A forecast says what may happen, not what must happen. If there is an official weather alert or lightning nearby, follow adults' safety instructions and current official guidance, rather than guessing from one app icon.
Core everyday words
forecast
noun · FOR-kasta statement about what the weather is likely to be in the future
Example: The forecast says it may rain after lunch.
temperature
noun · TEM-per-uh-chera measure of how warm or cold the air is
Example: The temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.
cloudy
adjective · KLOW-deehaving many clouds in the sky
Example: It looks cloudy, but the playground is still dry.
sunny
adjective · SUN-eehaving a lot of sunshine
Example: We chose a shady bench on the sunny afternoon.
drizzle
noun / verb · DRIZ-ullight rain made of very small drops
Example: A little drizzle began as we walked home.
shower
noun · SHOW-era short period of rain
Example: A shower passed quickly before the game.
windy
adjective · WIN-deehaving noticeably moving air
Example: It was too windy to fly a paper kite safely.
gust
noun · GUSTa sudden short burst of stronger wind
Example: A gust made the leaves blow across the path.
overcast
adjective · OH-ver-kasthaving the sky almost completely covered by clouds
Example: The sky stayed overcast all morning.
humidity
noun · hyoo-MID-uh-teehow much water vapour is in the air
Example: High humidity can make a warm day feel sticky.
chance of rain
noun phrase · CHANS uhv RAYNa statement about how likely rain is in a stated place and period
Example: There is a chance of rain during our field trip.
raincoat
noun · RAYN-kohta coat designed to keep rain off your clothing
Example: Bring a raincoat if showers are possible.
umbrella
noun · um-BREL-uha folding cover held above the head for protection from rain or sun
Example: She carried an umbrella on the walk.
waterproof
adjective · WAW-ter-proofdesigned to keep water from passing through
Example: The backpack has a waterproof cover.
puddle
noun · PUD-ula small pool of water on the ground
Example: We walked around the puddle beside the path.
shelter
noun · SHEL-tera place offering protection from difficult weather
Example: We went into a building for shelter during the storm.
postpone
verb · pohst-POHNto move an activity to a later time
Example: The coach may postpone practice if conditions are unsafe.
weather alert
noun phrase · WEH-ther uh-LERTan official notice about weather that may require special attention
Example: Adults checked the official weather alert before leaving.
Quick Check
Quick Check
Read ordinary forecast phrases.
1. What is a weather forecast?
- A prediction of future weather
- A receipt from a store
- A bus route number
- A school report card
2. Which word means light rain with small drops?
- drizzle
- hail
- sunshine
- frost
3. Which word describes a sudden stronger burst of wind?
- gust
- puddle
- humidity
- umbrella
4. Which thing could protect your clothing from rain?
- raincoat
- ruler
- notebook
- helmet sticker
5. What is a small pool of water on the ground?
- puddle
- fog
- shelter
- radar
6. Which word means the sky is mostly covered by clouds?
- overcast
- waterproof
- sunny
- dry
Context
Context
Use a word when planning for real-life activities.
7. “The coach may ______ the outdoor activity until tomorrow.”
8. A parent says, 'There is a chance of rain this afternoon.' What does that mean?
- Rain is possible, not certain.
- Rain has already started everywhere.
- The rain will last exactly one hour.
- It cannot rain before noon.
9. “Bring an ______ because a few showers are possible.”
10. Which message should a family check carefully for possible weather danger?
- official weather alert
- a lunch menu
- a library shelf number
- a spelling quiz
11. “A family goes inside a building for ______ when a storm develops.”
12. If the morning was sunny but the afternoon becomes cloudy, which statement is accurate?
- Conditions changed during the day.
- A forecast must be wrong forever.
- Sunny and cloudy mean exactly the same.
- A temperature reading is a wind gust.
Quick-check answers
- 1. A prediction of future weather
A forecast predicts what conditions may happen. - 2. drizzle
Drizzle is very light rain. - 3. gust
A gust is a brief burst of wind. - 4. raincoat
A raincoat is designed to keep rain off. - 5. puddle
A puddle collects on a surface after water gathers there. - 6. overcast
Overcast describes widespread cloud cover. - 7. postpone
Postpone means delay to a later time. - 8. Rain is possible, not certain.
A chance describes possibility rather than certainty. - 9. umbrella
An umbrella can help keep rain off while walking. - 10. official weather alert
An official alert describes weather requiring attention or precautions. - 11. shelter
Shelter is protection from difficult weather. - 12. Conditions changed during the day.
Weather can change within one day.