Meaning & use
describe weather conditions
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
To say or write what the weather is like, including temperature, wind, rain, and sky.
Grammar: Takes an object: describe weather conditions. Do not say 'describe about the weather'.
Patterns
- describe weather conditions in a place
- describe the weather conditions
- describe weather conditions for a time
In your report, describe weather conditions at the airport this morning.
The students had to describe weather conditions in the mountains during winter.
She described the weather conditions as cold and windy with heavy rain.
phrasefixed phraseformal
To give an account of the general state of the atmosphere for a particular purpose, such as farming or travel.
Grammar: Often used in formal or technical contexts; can be followed by 'for' plus a purpose or place.
Patterns
- describe weather conditions for something
- describe weather conditions in a region
The pilot described weather conditions for the flight path over the ocean.
Farmers must describe weather conditions accurately to plan their harvest.
Common combinations
- describe weather conditions accurately
- The witness described weather conditions accurately, including the wind speed.
- describe the weather conditions
- Please describe the weather conditions you saw yesterday.
- describe weather conditions in detail
- The article describes weather conditions in detail, with maps and charts.
- describe weather conditions for flying
- The pilot had to describe weather conditions for flying before takeoff.
Synonyms and how they differ
- report the weather
- This focuses on giving an official or broadcast account, while 'describe weather conditions' is more general and can be informal.
- talk about the weather
- This is informal and often used for small talk; 'describe weather conditions' suggests a more detailed or careful account.
Word family
- description noun
- A spoken or written account of what something is like.
- descriptive adjective
- Describing something clearly and with detail.
- weather noun
- The state of the atmosphere, such as sun, rain, or wind.
- condition noun
- The state of something at a particular time.
Commonly confused: describe weather conditions or prescribe weather conditions? describe weather conditions or describe about the weather?
describe weather conditions vs prescribe weather conditions
Prescribe means to say what treatment or rule someone must follow; it does not fit weather. Use describe for giving an account.
describe weather conditions vs describe about the weather
Describe takes a direct object, so say 'describe the weather', not 'describe about the weather'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Describe takes a direct object: describe weather conditions. 'Describe about' is a common mistake; 'describe to' and 'describe for' do not fit this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “describe weather conditions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.