Weather & Climate

1. Täna on palav, kas pole?

   TÄ-na on PA-lav, kas PO-le

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Classic Estonian weather conversation opener

   Grammar Note

   Estonian is a Uralic language related to Finnish. "Kas pole?" means "isn't it?" — negative tag question

2. Näib, et tuleb vihma

   näib, et TU-leb VIH-ma

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain seems likely

   Grammar Note

   "Vihma" is the partitive of "vihm" (rain). Estonian partitive is used in weather expressions

3. Lumetorm on tulemas

   A snowstorm is approaching

   Usage

   Common winter warning in Estonia

   Grammar Note

   "Lumetorm" = "lume" (of snow) + "torm" (storm). "-mas" form indicates ongoing action

4. Täna on jahe, kas pole?

   TÄ-na on JA-he, kas PO-le

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Used on cool days

   Grammar Note

   "Jahe" means "cool/chilly" in Estonian — pleasantly cool rather than cold

5. Kas saaksite mulle ilmateate öelda?

   kas SAAK-si-te MUL-le IL-ma-te-a-te ÖEL-da

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Ilmateade" = "ilm" (weather) + "teade" (announcement/notice) — Estonian compound noun

6. Kas mul on päikesekreemi vaja?

   kas mul on PÄI-ke-se-kree-mi VA-ja

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the strong sun

   Grammar Note

   "Päikesekreem" = "päikese" (of sun) + "kreem" (cream). "On vaja" = "is needed"

7. Kas peaksin vihmavarju kaasa võtma?

   kas PEAK-sin VIH-ma-var-ju KAA-sa VÕT-ma

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to carry an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Vihmavari" = "vihma" (rain's) + "vari" (shadow) — similar structure to Finnish "sateenvarjo"

8. Millal kuiv hooaeg algab?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about the dry season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Millal" is the Estonian question word for "when"

9. Millal vihmahooaeg algab?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about the rainy season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Vihmahooaeg" = "vihma" (rain's) + "hooaeg" (season) — compound noun

10. Täna on päike väga ere

    TÄ-na on PÄI-ke VÄ-ga E-re

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the strong sunlight

    Grammar Note

    "Päike" (sun) is cognate with Finnish "päivä" (day); Finnish usually says "aurinko" for the sun

11. vihm

    Rain

    Usage

    Single word for checking the forecast or today's weather

12. lumi

    Snow

    Usage

    Snow; "it is snowing" uses the verb "sajab"

13. tuul

    Wind

    Usage

    Useful on the coast and when checking ferry operations

14. päikesepaiste

    PÄI-ke-se-pais-te

    Sunshine

    Usage

    "päike" (sun) + "paiste" (shine); forecasts also use "päikeseline"

15. pilves

    Cloudy

    Usage

    The standard forecast wording; the noun "cloud" is "pilv"

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