When you need this
You ask about the weather for two reasons: to plan your day, or to make friendly conversation. "Do I need a jacket?" is practical. "Nice day, isn't it?" is social. Both are everywhere, and both have short, fixed answers.
The key question is "What's the weather like?" The "like" matters. "What is the weather?" sounds strange to English ears; "like" asks for a description. The same shape works for the future ("What's it going to be like tomorrow?") and the past ("What was the weather like in Sydney?").
Social weather questions often end in a tag: "Cold today, isn't it?" "Beautiful out, huh?" These don't want facts. They want agreement. Say "It really is" or "So nice," and then add something of your own.
Phrases
the standard question for a description
asks about the weather right now
asks about the forecast
asks what the weather report says
a practical question before you go out
social; wants agreement, not facts
the forecast says something will happen
the sky is dark; rain seems likely
clouds or rain are going away
passes on the forecast without being sure
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
A tag question wants agreement. "Yeah" plus a detail is the answer.
Practice · 3 min
Ask or answer. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.