capricious weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capricious weather" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing the erratic and unpredictable nature of weather patterns, particularly in the context of climate change. For example, "Due to climate change, we have seen more capricious weather patterns lately, with longer droughts and more powerful storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The capricious weather adds to the spectacle.

Independent

Faced with uncertain financing or capricious weather, the musicians seem to take it in stride.

The New York Times

CAPRICIOUS weather -- fog one minute, brilliant sunshine the next -- keeps each day's agenda in constant flux.

The New York Times - Travel

If Towner's performance was an absorbing recital, Gismonti's was more like an onrush of capricious weather blowing through the hall.

The Guardian - Music

With capricious weather and rugged terrain, the low altitudes of Britain's mountains belie the perils they may present.

The New York Times

The capricious weather caused one soldier to remark, "Gee, do you suppose he really is God, after all?" The British threw a party.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Urbanisation, habits of travel, modern farming practices, footloose industries, the internet - more and more people are being prised from a relationship with the physical aspects of this archipelago: its scores of rock types, its capricious weathers, its tides, seasons, birds, plants and creatures, its hundreds of rivers, its thousands of peaks.

The Guardian - Books

Fur remains a popular solution for capricious spring weather.

The New York Times - Style

Zinnias and other annuals spill across the front of the shingle-sided building, but signs of the capricious coastal weather — the flaking white paint and sagging roof — make a more lasting impression.

The New York Times

Our weather is capricious, unpredictable, muddled.

The Guardian - Books

The weather is capricious and it knows things that we don't.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events affected by weather, use "capricious weather" to convey the idea that plans may need to change unexpectedly.

Common error

Avoid using "capricious weather" when you simply mean "bad weather"; "capricious" implies unpredictability and rapid change, not necessarily unpleasant conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capricious weather" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "capricious" modifies the noun "weather". Ludwig indicates its proper usage in describing unpredictable weather conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capricious weather" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe weather that is unpredictable and subject to sudden changes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in both formal and informal contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media, where the term helps to convey the erratic nature of atmospheric conditions. When using this phrase, remember that it implies more than just bad weather; it signifies a lack of predictability. Alternatives include "unpredictable weather" and "erratic weather". Use "capricious weather" to add precision when describing weather's impact on events, emphasizing the need for flexible planning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictable weather

Replaces "capricious" with a more straightforward synonym, focusing on the lack of predictability.

erratic weather

Substitutes "capricious" with "erratic", highlighting the irregular and inconsistent nature of the weather.

changeable weather

Emphasizes the tendency of the weather to shift and vary frequently.

unstable weather

Focuses on the lack of equilibrium and the volatile nature of the atmospheric conditions.

fickle weather

Similar to "capricious", suggesting the weather changes without apparent reason or pattern.

temperamental weather

Implies weather that behaves in an unpredictable and moody manner.

variable weather

Highlights the fluctuating conditions of the weather.

shifting weather patterns

Emphasizes the changing nature of weather patterns, rather than a single weather event.

mercurial weather conditions

Uses "mercurial" to describe rapidly changing weather, similar to the quicksilver properties of mercury.

inconsistent weather

Highlights the lack of a regular or stable pattern in the weather.

FAQs

How can I use "capricious weather" in a sentence?

You can use "capricious weather" to describe conditions that are unpredictable and change suddenly. For example: "The "capricious weather" made it difficult to plan our hiking trip."

What's a good synonym for "capricious weather"?

Alternatives to "capricious weather" include "unpredictable weather", "erratic weather", or "changeable weather".

What does "capricious" actually mean in the context of weather?

When used to describe weather, "capricious" means that the weather is subject to sudden and unpredictable changes. It implies a lack of consistency or pattern.

Is it appropriate to use "capricious weather" in formal writing?

Yes, "capricious weather" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. The term is well-understood and conveys a specific meaning without being overly casual.