Talking about the weather is a universal ice-breaker. In Spanish-speaking countries, discussing the climate is just as common as it is in English-speaking ones. Learning how to chat about the weather in Spanish will help you start conversations easily and sound more like a native speaker. This guide will teach you the essential vocabulary and expressions to discuss the meteorological conditions confidently in Spanish.
The Three Main Ways to Describe Weather in Spanish
In Spanish, we use three main structures to talk about the weather:
1. Using “hacer” (to do/make)
2. Using “estar” (to be)
3. Using “hay” (there is/are)
Let’s explore each of these in detail.
1. When the Weather “Does” Something: Using “Hacer”

In Spanish, we often use the verb “hacer” to describe general weather conditions. This might seem strange at first, but think of it as the weather “making” a certain condition. Here are some common expressions:
– Hace calor – It’s hot
– Hace frío – It’s cold
– Hace fresco – It’s cool
– Hace buen tiempo – The weather is nice
– Hace mal tiempo – The weather is bad
For example, you might say:
“Hoy hace calor” (It’s hot today)
“Mañana hará frío” (It will be cold tomorrow)
2. When the Weather “Is” a Certain Way: Using “Estar”
We use “estar” to describe specific weather conditions or states. Remember, “estar” is used for temporary conditions, which fits perfectly with the ever-changing nature of weather! Here are some examples:
– Está nublado – It’s cloudy
– Está soleado – It’s sunny
– Está despejado – It’s clear
– Está ventoso – It’s windy
– Está lloviendo – It’s raining
– Está nevando – It’s snowing
You might hear:
“El cielo está nublado hoy” (The sky is cloudy today)
“Está lloviendo mucho” (It’s raining a lot)
3. When “There Is” Weather: Using “Hay”

Sometimes, we use “hay” (there is/are) to describe weather conditions. This is often used for specific weather elements. For instance:
– Hay viento – It’s windy (literally, “there is wind”)
– Hay niebla – It’s foggy (literally, “there is fog”)
– Hay sol – It’s sunny (literally, “there is sun”)
– Hay tormenta – There’s a storm
You could say:
“Hay mucho viento hoy” (It’s very windy today)
“Hay niebla en la montaña” (There’s fog in the mountain)
When to Use “Hacer”, “Estar”, or “Hay”
Choosing between “hacer”, “estar”, and “hay” can be tricky. Here’s a simple guide:
– Use “hacer” for general weather conditions or how the weather feels.
– Use “estar” for specific weather states or ongoing conditions.
– Use “hay” when talking about the presence of weather elements.
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use these expressions, the more natural they’ll become.
Fun Weather Expressions in Spanish
Just like in English, Spanish has some colorful expressions to describe extreme weather. These phrases will make you sound like a native speaker in no time!
When It’s Raining Heavily
– “Llueve a cántaros” – It’s raining pitchers (similar to “it’s raining cats and dogs”)
– “Llueve a mares” – It’s raining oceans
When It’s Very Cold
– “Hace un frío que pela” – It’s so cold it peels (meaning it’s freezing cold)
– “Me estoy congelando” – I’m freezing
When It’s Very Hot
– “¡Ay, qué calor!” – Oh, what heat!
– “Es un horno” – It’s an oven (meaning it’s extremely hot)
Useful Phrases for Extreme Weather

Here are some handy expressions to describe extreme weather conditions:
– “Está helando” – It’s freezing
– “Está cayendo granizo” – It’s hailing
– “Hay un huracán” – There’s a hurricane
– “Hay una ola de calor” – There’s a heat wave
Practice Conversations
Let’s put all this vocabulary into practice with some sample conversations:
Conversation 1:
– A: “¿Qué tal el tiempo hoy?” (How’s the weather today?)
– B: “Hace mucho calor y está soleado.” (It’s very hot and sunny.)
Conversation 2:
– A: “¿Crees que lloverá mañana?” (Do you think it will rain tomorrow?)
– B: “Es posible. El cielo está nublado y hay mucho viento.” (It’s possible. The sky is cloudy and it’s very windy.)
Conclusion

Mastering weather-related vocabulary in Spanish will help you engage in everyday conversations with ease. Remember to use “hacer” for general conditions, “estar” for specific states, and “hay” for the presence of weather elements. With practice, you’ll be chatting about the climate like a native speaker in no time. So next time you’re in a Spanish-speaking country, don’t hesitate to break the ice with a comment about the weather!