354 Hablar del tiempo en inglés

Hi! I’m Georgiana, and I’m back with a new episode of the Speak English Podcast—the show that helps you speak English fluently, without grammar drills and without textbooks.

Let me ask you something: what’s the easiest way to start a conversation in English?

If you said the weather, you’re absolutely right!

It doesn’t matter where you are—London, New York, or Paris—at some point, people will always talk about the weather. And it makes sense, right? The weather touches everyone’s life. If it’s sunny, people feel cheerful. If it rains, people complain. If it snows, kids celebrate while adults worry about traffic. It’s a safe, easy way to connect with others.

And fall is perfect for talking about the weather, because it keeps changing! One morning the air is crisp and you think, “A sweater will be enough today.” By afternoon, you’re too warm in that sweater. And then by evening, the temperature drops, and suddenly you wish you had a big coat and a scarf.

Another reason weather is so popular is because it’s neutral. You don’t have to know the person well. You can be in an elevator, at a bus stop, or saying hi to a new neighbor. You just say:

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Or: “Looks like rain today.”

And just like that, you’ve started a conversation. No stress, no awkward silence.

Useful Phrases for Fall 🍂

Let’s practice a few simple phrases people use all the time in autumn.

“It’s chilly today.”

You step outside without a jacket. A cold breeze hits you and you say: “Brrr… it’s chilly today.”

“The days are getting shorter.”

You notice it’s already dark at 6 p.m. and you tell your friend: “Wow, the days are getting shorter.”

“Looks like rain.”

You’re waiting for the bus. The sky turns gray and you say: “Hmm, looks like rain.”

“The weather changes so fast!”

In the morning it was sunny. By afternoon, it’s pouring rain. You shake your head and say: “The weather changes so fast!”

These are not complicated sentences, but they’re powerful because people really use them every day. If you practice them, you’ll feel more natural and confident.

🌦️ British vs American

Weather Expressions

Now let’s make this fun. Sometimes British and American English use different words for the exact same weather.

In the US, people will say: “It’s chilly today.”

But in the UK, someone might say: “It’s a bit nippy this morning, isn’t it?”

In New York, you’ll hear: “I love the fall colors.”

But in London, they’d say: “The colors of autumn are beautiful, aren’t they?”

In Chicago, someone might look out the window and say: “Wow, it’s raining cats and dogs out there!”

But in London, people usually say: “It’s pouring down today!”

An American mom might say: “Don’t forget your rain boots.”

But a British mom will probably shout: “Don’t forget your wellies!”

In the US, you’ll hear: “The sky is cloudy. Looks like rain.”

But in the UK, it’s more common to say: “The sky’s overcast. Looks like rain.”

When it suddenly turns cold:

In the US they’ll say: “A cold front is moving in tomorrow.”

But in the UK, people say: “We’re having a cold snap this week.”

Now, let’s practice.