When learning Hebrew, it’s delightful to be able to chat with locals about everyday topics. One universal topic is, of course, the weather and climate. In this article, we’ll explore common Hebrew expressions related to weather and climate and give you the vocabulary you need to join in on these conversations.

מזג אוויר (Mezeg Avir) – Weather
This is the general term for weather in Hebrew.
היום מזג האוויר נפלא, מרענן וקריר.
Today the weather is wonderful, refreshing and cool.

טמפרטורה (Temperatura) – Temperature
This word, which is quite similar to the English ‘temperature’, refers to the degree of heat or cold.
בודקים טמפרטורה לפני שיוצאים מהבית.
Check the temperature before you leave the house.

חם (Cham) – Hot
Used to describe hot weather or temperatures.
היום היה כל כך חם שלא יכולתי להישאר בחוץ.
Today was so hot that I couldn’t stay outside.

קר (Kar) – Cold
The word for cold, crisp weather or temperatures.
בחורף, יכול להיות מאוד קר בירושלים.
In the winter, it can be very cold in Jerusalem.

שמש (Shemesh) – Sun
The Hebrew word for the sun, a key factor in many discussions about the weather.
אל תשכחו למרוח קרם הגנה כשיש הרבה שמש.
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen when there is a lot of sun.

גשם (Geshem) – Rain
Refers to precipitation in the form of water droplets.
למרות התחזית, הגשם לא הפסיק כל היום.
Despite the forecast, the rain didn’t stop all day.

שלג (Sheleg) – Snow
Snow is not as common in Israel but is a welcome event when it occurs.
השנה ירד שלג כבד בחרמון.
This year heavy snow fell on Mount Hermon.

ערפל (Arpel) – Fog
Describes the condition when visibility is reduced due to a cloud of tiny water droplets.
כשיש ערפל, הנהיגה בכביש הרים צריכה להיות זהירה.
When there is fog, driving in the mountains should be cautious.

מתחמם (Mit’chamem) – Warming up
Used to describe the weather when it’s getting warmer.
זה מתחמם החוצה, אולי זה זמן טוב ללכת לטייל.
It’s warming up outside, maybe it’s a good time for a walk.

מתקרר (Mit’karer) – Cooling down
When the temperature is dropping, Israelis say that the weather is cooling down.
עכשיו שהשמש שקעה, זה מתחיל להתקרר.
Now that the sun has set, it’s starting to cool down.

סופה (Sufa) – Storm
This word is used for severe weather events including high winds and heavy precipitation.
הסופה הזאת הביאה איתה הרבה גשמים ורוחות עזות.
This storm brought with it a lot of rain and strong winds.

רוח (Ruach) – Wind
Simply the term for wind, this can be used for a gentle breeze or a powerful gust.
היום הרוחות חזקות, קחו משהו חם ללבוש.
Today the winds are strong, take something warm to wear.

Understanding and using these terms will certainly enhance your conversational skills in Hebrew, and may just help you plan your day a bit better when in Israel. Weather can be a great conversation starter, and now, armed with these expressions, you have all you need to chat away with any Hebrew speaker.