bouts of weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of weather" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to episodes of weather, typically bad weather, that last for a certain amount of time before subsiding. For example, "This winter has brought many bouts of bad weather, including severe thunderstorms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Smart Alarm adjusts your wake up schedule for this, along with other unfortunate bouts of weather.

TechCrunch

That period was marked by frigid bouts of weather that devastated crops and led to periodic famines.

Forbes

This has not been a trip that has gone completely smoothly - Hodgson may not have bargained for a couple of severe and disruptive bouts of weather - but there is a mood of quiet optimism around the camp.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For this particular E. boreale population, there are many occasions when bouts of poor weather follow good weather, but these were more restricted to emergence periods.

BMC Ecology

Experimental conditions emulated natural local variation in bouts of good weather followed by inclement weather (successions of days with hourly mean temperatures around 15°C and/or rainy weather).

BMC Ecology

Some argue that the consequences of bouts of bad weather are more significant still.

The Economist

We're all invited to submit names for putative bouts of severe weather.

The Guardian

The business has proved volatile, subject to unexpected bouts of bad weather that have weighed on earnings.

The New York Times

The business has proved volatile, however, subject to unexpected bouts of bad weather that have weighed on earnings.

The New York Times

This is despite the country experiencing increasingly frequent severe water shortages, droughts and bouts of extreme weather.

The Guardian

"Its behaviour has changed dramatically in the past few years and has produced these lengthy bouts of extreme weather.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bouts of weather", consider specifying the type of weather (e.g., "bouts of extreme heat", "bouts of heavy rain") for greater clarity.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, "bouts of weather" can sound slightly formal in everyday conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like "periods of bad weather" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of weather" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to recurring or intermittent periods characterized by specific weather conditions. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's a common way to describe these events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bouts of weather" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes recurring instances of specific weather conditions. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase often implies that these weather events are temporary and intermittent. While "bouts of weather" is widely accepted, it's important to consider the specific context and choose synonyms or related phrases if a more precise or nuanced description is needed. Though typically neutral, in more informal settings, alternative phrases might enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Periods of inclement weather

Replaces "bouts" with "periods" and "weather" with "inclement weather", emphasizing the unpleasant nature of the weather.

Spells of bad weather

Substitutes "bouts" with "spells" and specifies "bad weather", highlighting the negative aspect of the weather conditions.

Instances of extreme weather

Replaces "bouts" with "instances" and emphasizes the severity by using "extreme weather".

Outbreaks of severe weather

Changes "bouts" to "outbreaks" and uses "severe weather", suggesting sudden and intense weather events.

Waves of intense weather

Replaces "bouts" with "waves" and uses "intense weather", conveying a sense of successive, powerful weather systems.

Rounds of harsh weather

Substitutes "bouts" with "rounds" and uses "harsh weather", emphasizing the unpleasant or difficult conditions.

Cycles of unusual weather

Changes "bouts" to "cycles" and specifies "unusual weather", focusing on recurring patterns of atypical weather.

Patches of rough weather

Replaces "bouts" with "patches" and uses "rough weather", suggesting localized areas experiencing difficult weather conditions.

Streaks of turbulent weather

Substitutes "bouts" with "streaks" and uses "turbulent weather", conveying a sense of unstable and chaotic weather conditions.

Fits of wild weather

Changes "bouts" to "fits" and specifies "wild weather", emphasizing the erratic and unpredictable nature of the weather.

FAQs

How can I use "bouts of weather" in a sentence?

You can use "bouts of weather" to describe recurring instances of specific weather conditions, such as "The region experienced several "bouts of severe weather" this past winter."

What are some synonyms for "bouts of weather"?

Alternatives include "periods of inclement weather", "spells of bad weather", and "instances of extreme weather", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "bouts of bad weather" or "bouts of good weather"?

"Bouts of weather" is typically used to describe negative or challenging weather conditions. While grammatically correct, "bouts of good weather" is less common. A more suitable phrase for pleasant conditions might be "periods of fine weather".

What does "bouts of weather" imply about the duration or intensity of the weather?

"Bouts of weather" suggests that the weather events are temporary and recurring, rather than constant or prolonged. The intensity can vary but often implies a significant or noticeable impact.