15 Phrasal Verbs Related to Weather

15 Phrasal Verbs Related to Weather (with Meanings & Examples)

Hello, English learners 👋 Welcome to a new lesson. English uses phrasal verbs constantly to talk about the weather — and many of them are also used figuratively to describe emotions, situations, and behaviour. Learning these expressions will help you sound more natural and fluent, especially in conversation and Cambridge speaking exams. Below are 15 useful phrasal verbs related to weather, with clear meanings and natural example sentences.

Blow away

Meaning:

(Weather) Be carried away by the wind
(Figurative) Impress or amaze someone

Hold on to your hat — the wind might blow it away.

Her performance completely blew me away.

Blow over

Meaning:

(Weather) Pass or calm down
(Figurative) Be forgotten or lose importance

The storm should blow over by the evening.

The argument was serious at first, but it soon blew over.

Blow up

Meaning:

(Weather) Start suddenly or increase in intensity
(Figurative) Become very angry

A strong wind blew up without warning.

He blew up when he heard the news.

Brighten up

Meaning:

(Weather) Become sunnier
(Mood) Become happier

The sky finally brightened up in the afternoon.

Her message really brightened up my day.

Cloud over

Meaning:

(Weather) Become cloudy
(Figurative) Show sadness or worry

The sky began to cloud over before the storm.

His face clouded over when he heard the result.

Cool down

Meaning:

(Weather) Become cooler
(Emotions) Become calmer

The temperature will cool down overnight.

She needed time to cool down after the argument.

Cool off

Meaning: Become more comfortable after heat or effort

It usually cools off after sunset.

The players stopped to cool off and drink some water.

Dry up

Meaning:

(Weather) Lose moisture
(Figurative) Stop completely

After weeks without rain, the river dried up.

The conversation quickly dried up.

Freeze over

Meaning: Become covered with ice

The lake froze over during the cold winter.

If temperatures drop further, the pond will freeze over.

Heat up

Meaning:

(Weather) Become warmer
(Figurative) Become more intense

The weather usually heats up in late spring.

Tensions between the teams started to heat up.

Pick up

Meaning: (Wind) Become stronger

The wind picked up as the storm approached.

According to the forecast, the breeze will pick up later.

Pour down

Meaning: Rain very heavily

It started to pour down just as we left the house.

I love listening to the rain pouring down at night.

Rain off

Meaning: Cancel an event because of rain

The match was rained off due to heavy rain.

Their picnic was rained off at the last minute.

Snow in

Meaning: Be unable to leave because of heavy snow

We were snowed in for two days.

The village was snowed in after the blizzard.

Storm out

Meaning: Leave angrily (figurative)

She stormed out of the meeting without a word.

He stormed out after the argument.

Final tip for learners

Many weather phrasal verbs are used figuratively to talk about emotions, conflicts, and change. Using them naturally in speaking will make your English sound confident, fluent, and authentic — exactly what examiners look for.