How To Talk About The Weather In German: Ultimate Guide With German Weather Words And Phrases

The weather in German speaking countries is quite an interesting topic.

It really all depends on where you start from and where you travel to, because Germany, Austria and Switzerland have everything in terms of weather.

Normally, we can talk about four seasons in these countries: spring, summer, autumn and winter. But what if you travel to the Alps? Or the North Sea? Well, then it’s completely different.

Don’t worry though… In this blog post, we’ll explain everything you have to know about the weather in German – whether you’re planning a trip, or just want to casually chat about it and try some small talk in German.

But before we start, there’s a video you HAVE to check out! It was made by Spring German (a project I co-founded):

1. What you have to know about German weather patterns

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland you’ll run into summer temperatures that range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). It’s actually the perfect weather for enjoying a cold “Radler” (beer mixed with lemonade) in a beer garden! (You can learn how to order beer in German on our blog.)

Winters are a bit different – they can be quite cold, especially in the mountains! The temperature usually drops below freezing, and snowfall is also common. But it’s good news for sport lovers, because you can practice winters sports.

Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with milder temperatures and variable weather.

Spring brings beautiful blossoms and the famous “Aprilwetter” (April weather), which can change rapidly from sunshine to rain. Autumn, or “Herbst” in German, is known for its colorful foliage and cozy atmosphere.

But just as we mentioned in the intro, it all varies based on where you are: Northern Germany is closer to the sea and has cooler summers and milder winters. Southern regions with the Alps have a continental climate with colder winters and warmer summers.

It might come as a surprise but people actually love to talk about the weather in German: you can hear phrases like “Schönes Wetter heute, nicht wahr?” (Nice weather today, isn’t it?) as a conversation starter.

And although the weather can be unpredictable, locals have a saying which is quite true:

  • Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur falsche Kleidung” (There’s no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing).

Let’s explore some interesting expressions and sentences about the weather in German:

GermanEnglish
Es ist heute sonnig und warm.It’s sunny and warm today.
Der Himmel ist bedeckt.The sky is overcast.
Es regnet in Strömen.It’s raining cats and dogs.
Wir erwarten morgen Schneefall.We’re expecting snowfall tomorrow.
Die Temperaturen steigen auf 25 Grad.Temperatures are rising to 25 degrees.
Es ist schwül und gewitterig.It’s muggy and thundery.
Der Wind weht stark aus Westen.The wind is blowing strongly from the west.
Heute Nachmittag klart es auf.It’s clearing up this afternoon.
Es herrscht dichter Nebel.There’s thick fog.
Die Sonne scheint den ganzen Tag.The sun is shining all day.
Es ist eiskalt draußen.It’s freezing cold outside.
Wir haben mildes Frühlingswetter.We’re having mild spring weather.
Der Herbst zeigt sich von seiner schönsten Seite.Autumn is showing its best side.
Es hagelt schon seit einer Stunde.It’s been hailing for an hour.
Die Hitze ist unerträglich.The heat is unbearable.

2. How to ask about the weather in German?

Small talk in German can be hard but German locals love talking about the weather and with some common German phrases, you can tackle any conversation:

GermanEnglish
Wie ist das Wetter?How’s the weather?
Wie ist das Wetter heute?How’s the weather today?
Wie wird das Wetter morgen sein?How will the weather be tomorrow?
Wie ist das Wetter am Wochenende?How’s the weather on the weekend?
Was für ein Wetter haben wir heute?What kind of weather are we having today?
Wie ist es draußen?How is it outside?
Scheint die Sonne?Is the sun shining?
Regnet es?Is it raining?
Wird es heute noch regnen?Will it rain today?
Ist es windig?Is it windy?
Wie kalt ist es?How cold is it?
Wird es wärmer?Will it get warmer?
Können wir mit gutem Wetter rechnen?Can we expect good weather?
Wann hört der Regen auf?When will the rain stop?
Wie ist die Wettervorhersage?What’s the weather forecast?

You can use any of these questions in German to ask someone about the weather phenomenons.

3. How to talk about the weather in German

What if you’re the ones who gets asked these questions? Do you know how  to answer them?

Don’t worry if not – it’s your chance to learn it! Let’s break it down based on answering all of these questions into different categories.

Describing temperature in German: must-have weather vocabulary

one of the most important aspects of weather chat in German: describing temperature.

Whether it’s a scorching summer day or a freezing winter night, Germans love to discuss how warm or cold it is, so let’s here’s some essential vocabulary for temperature talk:

GermanEnglish
heißhot
warmwarm
mildmild
kühlcool
kaltcold
eiskaltfreezing cold
die Temperaturtemperature
der Graddegree
unter Nullbelow zero
über Nullabove zero
schwülmuggy, humid
frostigfrosty
die Hitzethe heat
die Kältethe cold
die Wärmethe warmth

Common German weather terms for rain and snow

These terms are super handy when you’re chatting about the weather, especially during those wet or snowy days that are pretty common in German-speaking countries.

GermanEnglish
der Regenrain
der Nieselregendrizzle
der Platzregendownpour
der Wolkenbruchcloudburst
der Schneesnow
der Schneeschauersnow shower
die Schneeflockesnowflake
der Hagelhail
der Graupelsleet
die Pfützepuddle
nasswet
feuchtdamp
es regnetit’s raining
es schneitit’s snowing
es gießtit’s pouring

Strange weather conditions: winds and storms in German

These German words will come in handy when you’re describing those dramatic weather events that can sometimes sweep through German-speaking regions – unfortunately, they are more and more common.

GermanEnglish
der Windwind
die Brisebreeze
der Sturmstorm
der Orkanhurricane
der Tornadotornado
der Wirbelsturmcyclone
das Gewitterthunderstorm
der Blitzlightning
der Donnerthunder
windigwindy
stürmischstormy
böiggusty
der Wirbelwindwhirlwind
die Windböegust of wind
die Sturmwarnungstorm warning

Basic weather forecast expressions in German

Ready to sound like a pro when talking about the weather in German?

These expressions will help you understand and talk about what Mother Nature has in store – the weather forecast in German.

Let’s check out some key phrases you’ll hear in German weather reports!

GermanEnglish
die Wettervorhersageweather forecast
der Wetterberichtweather report
Es wird erwartet…It is expected…
mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeitwith high probability
Die Aussichten für morgen…The outlook for tomorrow…
Es bleibt trocken.It will remain dry.
Regen ist möglich.Rain is possible.
Die Temperaturen steigen/fallen.Temperatures are rising/falling.
sonnige Abschnittesunny periods
wechselhaftchangeable
Die Höchsttemperatur liegt bei…The maximum temperature will be…
Es ziehen Wolken auf.Clouds are moving in.
Es klart auf.It’s clearing up.
vereinzelte Schauerscattered showers
anhaltender Regenpersistent rain

German climate change vocabulary

Climate change is a hot topic worldwide, and it’s alarming…

You’ll need to discuss this important issue in German.

These words will help you join conversations about the environment and climate change with confidence.

GermanEnglish
der Klimawandelclimate change
die Erderwärmungglobal warming
der Treibhauseffektgreenhouse effect
die Umweltverschmutzungenvironmental pollution
die CO2-EmissionenCO2 emissions
die erneuerbare Energierenewable energy
der Meeresspiegelsea level
die Dürredrought
die Überschwemmungflood
die Nachhaltigkeitsustainability
der ökologische Fußabdruckecological footprint
die Klimapolitikclimate policy
der Klimaschutzclimate protection
die Energiewendeenergy transition
die Artenvielfaltbiodiversity

4. Das Wetter: German expressions and idioms related to weather

And then, there are always hidden gems in every language. Germans actually love to pepper their own German sentences with some witty, humorous phrases.

Because weather in German is a metaphor for life.

These sayings aren’t just about describing the weather – they carry deeper meanings or life lessons.

They’re the kind of expressions that might make a German native speaker do a double-take and ask, “Wow, where did you learn that?”

Here they come: German sayings and idioms that make you sound like a native speaker. We shared the English translations, and their meanings, too:

GermanEnglishMeaning
Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur falsche Kleidung.There’s no bad weather, only wrong clothing.Be prepared for any situation.
AprillwetterApril weatherUnpredictable, quickly changing weather
Wenn Engel reisen, lacht der Himmel.When angels travel, the sky smiles.Good weather is a sign of good fortune.
Nach Regen kommt Sonnenschein.After rain comes sunshine.Things will get better after hard times.
Da liegt der Hund begraben.That’s where the dog is buried.That’s the crux of the matter (often used when discussing climate issues).
Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof.I only understand train station.I don’t understand anything (can be used when weather forecasts are confusing).
Das ist ein Sturm im Wasserglas.That’s a storm in a water glass.Making a big fuss about nothing.
Wie der BlitzLike lightningVery fast
Donnerwetter!Thunder weather!An exclamation of surprise or anger.
Die Sonne im Herzen tragenTo carry the sun in your heartTo be optimistic despite circumstances.

5. Seasonal weather phrases and activities in German-speaking countries

Last, but not least! Outdoor activities.

Germans love to do these in different seasons. They are essential part of the German culture: people really enjoy getting outside and making the most of each season.

Hiking, skiing, going to the beach – there’s always something exciting to do outdoors.

Ready to explore, German-style?

GermanEnglish
Wandern gehenGo hiking
RadfahrenCycling
Grillen im ParkBarbecue in the park
Drachen steigen lassenFlying kites
Pilze sammelnMushroom picking
SkifahrenSkiing
SchlittschuhlaufenIce skating
RodelnSledding
SonnenbadenSunbathing
Schwimmen im SeeSwimming in the lake
KletternRock climbing
SegelnSailing
WindsurfenWindsurfing
LanglaufenCross-country skiing
SchneeschuhwandernSnowshoeing

6. Practice with flashcards: talk effortlessly about the weather in German

The best way to talk about the weather in German is practice it beforehand. Here’s your chance!

This was just part of the exercise. If you’re ready to practice more German, you can request the Full Practice Worksheet Library for German for FREE!

7. Reach fluency and talk about regional weather in German with Conversation Based Chunking

All of these tables and expressions are here to help you… but there’s one secret to unlock the German language journey.

It’s called Conversation Based Chunking!

It’s a method that focuses on teaching you the language with the help of chunks – the natural and most common phrases in German. If you use this approach in German, you won’t have to remember boring and long vocabulary lists or grammar rules, because CBC focuses on teaching naturally with immersion.

If you’re curious enough, you can request your first FREE German Conversation Based Chunking Guide: in it, you’ll find resources to learn German, practice exercises and chunking lists.

Get ready to talk fluently about the weather in German:

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