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Temps or climat: French weather words at two different scales

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Ask about today’s weather with temps, describe long-term patterns with climat and recognise météo. A compact reference with weather pictures and questions.

In short

Le temps describes the weather on a particular day or during a short period. Le climat describes the longer-term weather patterns of a place. La météo means weather information or the forecast: consulter la météo.

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A walker carries an umbrella through rain in a Mediterranean village.
A rainy day describes le temps in the village. Illustration: Atelier

Daily weather, forecasts and climate

1 · Ask about the weather now

Use the fixed question Quel temps fait-il ? Add a place or day.

le tempsweather in a day-to-day description
il fait beauthe weather is fine

Quel temps fait-il chez toi aujourd’hui ?What is the weather like where you are today?

Il fait froid et il pleut.It is cold and raining.

2 · Read or check a forecast

Use la météo or les prévisions météo for weather information.

la météoweather; the forecast
les prévisionsthe forecast / predictions

Je consulte la météo avant de partir.I check the forecast before leaving.

Les prévisions annoncent de la pluie pour demain.The forecast predicts rain for tomorrow.

3 · Describe the usual pattern

Use le climat for the conditions that characterise a place over a long period.

un climat seca dry climate
un climat douxa mild climate

Le climat de cette région est humide.This region has a wet climate.

Ce livre décrit le climat de la côte.This book describes the coast’s climate.

What can you see outside?

What is the difference between temps and climat?

Le climat est sec, mais il pleut aujourd’hui.

The climate is dry, but it is raining today.

Hier, le temps était couvert ; aujourd’hui, il fait beau.

Yesterday it was overcast; today the weather is fine.

A rainy afternoon is a description of le temps. A region’s usual pattern is le climat. Both nouns are masculine: un temps pluvieux, un climat humide. Météo is feminine: la météo de demain.

What else does temps mean in French?

Je n’ai pas le temps de lire tout le bulletin.

I don’t have time to read the whole bulletin.

Nous travaillons dans un climat de confiance.

We work in an atmosphere of trust.

In the first example, temps means available time. In the second, climat describes the atmosphere between people. The surrounding words select the meaning.

Question 1No account needed
Ask what the weather is like today.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Quel temps fait-il ?. Quel temps fait-il ? is the question about weather conditions.

Question 2No account needed
Complete the longer-term description.Le ___ de cette région est généralement doux.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

climat. Climat describes the usual conditions of a region over a long period.

Question 3No account needed
What are you checking in Je consulte la météo?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The weather forecast.. Consulter la météo means checking weather information or the forecast.

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