Is Weather Countable or Uncountable?
When we discuss the weather in English, we often treat it as an uncountable noun. However, there are nuanced exceptions and specific phrases where the term behaves differently. This blog post aims to clarify these subtleties and provide examples of correct usage to help you communicate effectively.
General Rule: Weather as an Uncountable Noun
Typically, weather is used as an uncountable noun. This means we do not use the indefinite article a before weather, nor do we use it in the plural form. Here are a few examples:
✅ It's nice weather today, isn't it?
❌ It's a nice weather today, isn't it?
❌ It's nice weathers today, isn't it?
✅ In February, we always like going to places where there is great weather.
❌ In February, we always like going to places where there is a great weather.
❌ In February, we always like going to places where there are great weathers.
✅ There is nice weather in Hong Kong at this time of year.
❌ There is a nice weather in Hong Kong at this time of year.
❌ There are nice weathers in Hong Kong at this time of year.
✅ We've had such terrible weather all week, making it hard to schedule any outdoor activities.
❌ We've had such a terrible weather all week, making it hard to schedule any outdoor activities.
❌ We've had such terrible weathers all week, making it hard to schedule any outdoor activities.
In all these instances, weather refers to the general condition of the atmosphere and is not preceded by the article a or made plural, even when modified by adjectives such as nice or great. We could speak of a weather station, a weather report, or a weather system, but in each of these cases, a modifies station, report, and system respectively, not the word weather.
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| The entry for the noun weather in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English |
Exceptions and Special Phrases
While weather is generally uncountable, there are set phrases where it can take a plural form. A good example is the use of all weathers, which is fairly common in British English:
✅ Fishermen go out in all weathers.
✅ The homeless man found shelter in a small tent, managing to sleep soundly even in all weathers.
✅ She goes jogging in all weathers, never missing a morning, regardless of whether it rains or shines.
In these examples, in all weathers means 'in all kinds of weather, both good and bad', highlighting the plural use of weather in specific contexts.
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| The Cambridge Dictionary's entry for the idiom in all weathers |
In summary, while weather is predominantly uncountable, expressions like in all weathers demonstrate its potential plural form.
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Examples from the Media
After all that, we had such good weather that we ended up barbecuing on the terrace most nights, even though there are plenty of restaurants. —Daily Mail (2011)
Many people, including doctors at a clinic on the track, said they could not understand why the aircraft had attempted the trip in such bad weather. —The Sydney Morning Herald (2009)
Now, as we move into spring, a March heat wave that smashed previous temperature records only seemed to invoke a chorus of "how fortunate we are to have such incredible weather." —The Seattle Times (2019)
The sunny shores and urban vibrancy of San Diego tempt travellers with great weather, fabulous activities on land and sea, and a bustling mix of artistic, cultural and culinary adventures. —Vancouver Sun (2024)
We're getting excellent feedback from lots and lots of people, even though we had bad weather on Friday. —Otago Daily Times (2024)
From a postman to a vet, we asked people who work outside in all weathers for tips for getting through the coldest, darkest months of the year – from big pants to barrier cream. —The Guardian (2019)
Real-World Examples of Misuse
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| (Source: An Instant Approach to English Grammar Practice for HKCEE and ASL Students) (Also by the Same Author: 1/2/3) |
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