TLDR;
This video from Oxford Online English teaches you how to talk about the weather in English, focusing on words, phrases, and idioms to describe various weather conditions. It uses a typical changeable British day as an example, covering everything from chilly mornings to baking hot afternoons, and even a weather forecast predicting frost, sleet, flurries of snow, and a blizzard.
- Learn to describe different types of cold weather, from "chilly" to "freezing".
- Understand various forms of rain, including "drizzling", "spitting", and "chucking it down".
- Expand your vocabulary to describe hot weather, such as "baking hot", "a scorcher", and "boiling".
- Learn to describe winter weather conditions like "frost", "sleet", "flurries of snow", "blizzards", and "slush".
Introduction [0:01]
The lesson introduces the topic of discussing weather in English, highlighting the importance of this skill in British culture due to the UK's variable weather. The video aims to teach viewers words, phrases, and idioms to describe different types of weather, using a typical British day as an example of how quickly the weather can change.
Describing Cold Weather [0:52]
The lesson begins with describing cold weather, starting with "chilly," which means a little cold, suitable for a light jacket. It then moves on to "freezing," which is very cold, often to the point where you can see your breath. "Bundle up" is introduced, meaning to wear layers of clothing to stay warm in freezing weather.
Describing Rain [2:08]
The lesson covers different types of rain, starting with "drizzling," which is light rain, almost like mist. "Spitting" is even lighter, just a few raindrops. When it rains heavily, "the heavens open" or "it's chucking it down." If your clothes get very wet, they are "soaked," but an umbrella can keep you only "damp," meaning slightly wet.
Describing Stormy Weather [3:26]
The lesson explains how to describe stormy weather, starting with an "overcast" sky, where clouds cover the sun. "Dark overhead" describes very black clouds, indicating rain is likely. A "storm brewing" means a storm will start soon. The lesson also covers "lightning," an electric flash of light, and "thunder," the noise caused by lightning, together forming "thunderstorms." When a storm starts, the wind "picks up," becoming stronger, and can reach "gale" force, which is very strong and dangerous.
Describing Hot Weather [4:56]
The lesson transitions to describing hot weather, starting with "baking hot," meaning very hot. If there is no wind, it is "completely still." Other ways to describe extreme heat include "a scorcher" and "boiling."
Weather Forecast Vocabulary [5:44]
The lesson uses a weather forecast to introduce more vocabulary. "Frost" refers to ice crystals on a frozen surface. "Sleet" is a mix of rain and snow. A "flurry of snow" is light snow for a short time. A "blizzard" is a storm with lots of snow and wind. "Slush" is partly melted snow or ice. "Below freezing" means the temperature is below 0°C.
Conclusion [7:40]
The lesson concludes by recapping what has been taught: British weather is very changeable, and the video has provided phrases and expressions to describe the weather in more detail.