Read this opening conversation:
John: Hi, Mom. I'm home.
Mom: Welcome home. So how was your day at school?
John: It was ok. Nothing special.
Mom: What's the weather like today?
John: It ヤs sunny and warm.
Mom: It's supposed to rain tomorrow so you'd better take your raincoat with you to school.
John: OK, but you might have to remind me in the morning.
In this conversation, the mother said:
"What's the weather like today?"
Read these example conversations:
Michael: What's the weather like today?
Michiko: It's supposed to rain.
Michael: How's the weather today?
Michiko: There's a chance of rain.
Michael: What's the weather like today?
Michiko: It might rain.
The topic of weather is so common because it's something that anyone can talk about and it's a safe topic. A safe topic is one that is not personal. You can talk about the weather anytime with anyone. You can use this pattern for any type of weather. Read these example sentences:
"It looks like it's going to be a fine day today"
"It looks like it's going to rain today"
"It looks like it's going to be cold today"
Read these common weather vocabulary words:
"Sunny" "Cloudy" "Rainy" "Snowy" "Windy"
Read this conversation:
Michiko: Michael, what's the difference between "weather" and "climate"?
Michael: Hmm.
Michiko: Well.
Michael: That's a good question.
Michiko: Does that mean you don't know the answer?
Michael: No, I know.
The weather is something that changes every day and depends on the atmospheric pressure and so on. The climate is the normal pattern of weather in a given area. For example, Hawaii is usually sunny and warm, so we would say it's a warm climate. But some days, it's rainy and cool. That's the weather. We would say, today, it's rainy and cool.
Read this conversation:
Michiko: Excuse me, is this the bus to Ala Moana Shopping Center?
Michael: Yes, it is.
Michiko: The weather's not too good today, is it?
Michael: No, it isn't. It looks like it's going to rain.
Michiko: Is the weather usually like this in Hawaii?
Michael: No, it's usually sunny and warm. How about in Japan?
Michiko: The weather in Japan is usually cold during this time of year.
In this conversation, the lady is asking about the climate in Hawaii. Read these example sentences:
"Is the weather usually like this in Hawaii?"
"What's the weather usually like in Hawaii at this time of year?"
"What's the climate in Hawaii during this time of year?"
Now read this next conversation:
Michael: The weather was really bad on my way to work today. It was snowing hard and the wind was blowing.
Michiko: Come on, Michael. This is Hawaii. It never snows in Hawaii. You're exaggerating.
Michael: Well, it was still bad. The wind was blowing and it was raining.
Michiko: That's winter in Hawaii. What was the weather forecast for today?
Michael: I don't know. I didn't watch TV this morning.
Michiko: I heard on the radio that it was going to be sunny this afternoon.
Michael: I hope the weather forecast is right.
Michiko: Yeah me too. I'm going to the beach this afternoon.
Weather is a constant source of conversation because it changes every day. In the conversation above, Michiko asked:
"What's the weather forecast for today?"
Another way she could have said the same thing is:
"Did you hear the weather forecast for today?"
or
"Do you know the weather forecast for today?"
Read these example sentences:
"What's the weather forecast for today?"
"Did you hear the weather forecast for today?"
"Do you know the weather forecast for today?"
There are lots of different ways to find out what the weather forecast is going to be. You can listen to the forecast on Television or radio or you can read the forecast in the newspaper. Read this
conversation:
Michael: Did you hear the forecast on the television this morning?
Michiko: No, I missed it. What did they say?
Michael: They said it was going to be sunny today with a 50% chance of showers in the afternoon.
Michiko: Does that mean it's going to rain half of the afternoon.
Michael: No, it means that they are about 50% sure that it's going to rain in the afternoon.
The people who give the weather forecast are never 100% sure of the weather. Now let's practice.
Read these example sentences:
"There's a slight chance of showers"
"There's a 75% chance of a thunderstorm"
"There's a good chance of clear skies"
The weather forecast can also be helpful when you travel on vacation.
Read this next conversation:
Michiko: Michael, are you doing anything on your vacation?
Michael: Yeah, I'm planning to go and visit my parents.
Michiko: What's the weather like there this time of year?
Michael: It's mostly sunny and cold. Sometimes it snows. Then it really gets cold.
Michiko: You'd better bring a heavy coat with you.
Michael: I don't have one here. In Hawaii, we never need one.
Michiko: Maybe you can borrow one from a friend.
Did you notice the question that Michiko asked. She said:
"What's the weather like there this time of year?"
Another way to say the same thing is:
"How's the weather there this time of year?"
Here are some more weather vocabulary:
"Mostly fair" "Mostly sunny" "Partly Cloudy" "Trade" "Winds" "Showers"
We also learned about natural disasters like Hurricane Iniki. A hurricane can be incredibly destructive. But there are other natural disasters.
Read these examples:
"Tornado" "Typhoon" "Tsunami" "Tidal Wave" "Earthquake" "Flood" "Twister"
A tornado is like a funnel of wind that can touch the ground and destroy everything in it's path. It's very unpredictable but not as destructive as a hurricane. Another word for Tornado is "Twister."
A typhoon is usually an offshore storm. It's similar to a tornado in the ocean.
The word "Tsunami" comes from Japanese. It means the same thing as a Tidal Wave. A tidal wave is a very large wave that can flood large areas.
Michiko: Michael, what should I do during a tornado?
Michael: Well, If you are in your house, you should go downstairs to the basement.
Michiko: What if your house doesn't have a basement?
Michael: Well, in that case you should hide under a table or in a hallway with a strong ceiling.
Michiko: What if you are in a car?
We've learned a lot of new words tonight. For example:
"Disaster" "Evacuation" "Hypothetical" "Warning Zone" "Devastation" "Collapse"
