Talking About the Weather Forecast in French

Vocalyra teaching team · Last updated:

Checking the forecast before a weekend plan is an everyday conversation. This guide uses the exact lines from Vocalyra Français episode #018, La météo du week-end, where two friends plan a Sunday hike.

Asking About Plans and the Forecast

Two short questions open the conversation. Qu'est-ce que asks what someone is doing or what something says.

  • Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ? (What are you doing this weekend?)
  • Regarde la météo d'abord. (Check the weather first.)
  • Qu'est-ce qu'elle dit ? (What does it say?)

Weather Words With du and de la

A forecast often names the weather with a partitive article: du for masculine words, de la for feminine words.

  • du soleil (sun), de la pluie (rain)
  • le matin (in the morning)
  • après quinze heures (after 3 p.m.)

Reacting With a Plan

Je vais plus an infinitive is the near future, ideal for plans. Prends is the tu imperative of prendre.

  • Je veux faire une randonnée dimanche. (I want to go hiking on Sunday.)
  • Alors, je vais partir tôt. (Then I'll leave early.)
  • Prends une veste légère. (Take a light jacket.)

French forecasts usually give times on the 24-hour clock, so quinze heures means 3 p.m.

The Full Dialogue

The full dialogue from Vocalyra Français #018.
FrenchEnglish
Qu’est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ?What are you doing this weekend?
Je veux faire une randonnée dimanche.I want to go hiking on Sunday.
Regarde la météo d’abord.Check the weather first.
Qu’est-ce qu’elle dit ?What does it say?
Du soleil le matin, mais de la pluie après quinze heures.Sun in the morning, but rain after 3 p.m.
Alors, je vais partir tôt.Then I'll leave early.
Bonne idée. Prends une veste légère.Good idea. Take a light jacket.
D’accord.OK.

Listen to episode #018 on the Vocalyra podcast page and answer the three questions under the player. Then check tomorrow's forecast and describe it in one French sentence.

Quick self-check

  1. Which day is the hike?

    Show answer

    Dimanche.

  2. What is the weather in the morning?

    Show answer

    Du soleil.

  3. When does the rain start?

    Show answer

    Après quinze heures.

Source: Vocalyra Français podcast episode #018, the beginner weekend-weather conversation this guide is based on. Listen to episode #018

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