terrible weather

You can use this phrase as a subject or an object. You might say, 'The terrible weather ruined our picnic.' Or simply, 'We are having some terrible weather lately.' It is very flexible. You can add 'really' or 'absolutely' before it for extra drama. Just remember it usually describes the general atmosphere, not just one single lightning bolt.

Use it when you meet a neighbor in the elevator while soaking wet. It is a perfect 'icebreaker' (pun intended) for small talk. Use it at the office when everyone is grumpy because of the rain. It is great for texting a friend to explain why you are running late. It works whenever the sky looks like a scene from a sad movie.

Do not use it if it is just a light drizzle or a bit cloudy. That is just 'gray weather.' If there is a life-threatening hurricane, terrible weather might sound too casual. In those cases, use 'extreme conditions' or 'severe weather.' Also, avoid it if you are actually enjoying the rain—some people love a good storm!

In English-speaking cultures, especially in the UK and parts of the US, complaining about the weather is a national hobby. It is a safe, neutral topic that everyone can agree on. Saying 'What terrible weather we’re having!' is a way to bond with strangers. It shows you are friendly and observant without being too personal. It is the ultimate social glue.

You will often hear people swap 'terrible' for other strong adjectives. 'Horrible weather,' 'awful weather,' or 'miserable weather' all mean basically the same thing. If you want to sound more British, you might hear 'foul weather.' If it is raining specifically, you might hear 'lovely weather for ducks,' which is a sarcastic way to say the weather is actually terrible!