cold snap

USAGE SUMMARY

"cold snap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a period of unusually cold weather. For example, "The cold snap over the weekend brought snow to parts of the south."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A cold snap could still be looming.

The New York Times

"But we arrived in a cold snap.

The New Yorker

Another cold snap would finish them off.

The Guardian - Sport

This is certainly an extraordinary cold snap".

The Guardian

"Father, daughters succumb to recent cold snap".

The New York Times - Travel

Forecasters warned the cold snap would continue through next week.

The New York Times

But what will happen if a cold snap comes?

The New Yorker

The recent cold snap could be bad news.

The New York Times

They do it in the night, in a cold snap.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, I was ready for the cold snap.

The New York Times

I tentatively tried them on during the next cold snap.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold snap" to describe a sudden, short period of unusually cold weather, especially when contrasting it with a generally milder climate or season. For example, "Despite the warm autumn, a sudden cold snap hit the region, causing unexpected frost."

Common error

Avoid using "cold snap" to describe long-term trends or climate changes. "Cold snap" refers to a short-term event, not a permanent shift in weather patterns. For example, it's incorrect to say, "The area is experiencing a cold snap due to global warming", as global warming implies a long-term trend, contradicting the temporary nature of a "cold snap".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold snap" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific meteorological event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is well-formed and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cold snap" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a brief period of unusually cold weather. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and various examples demonstrate its common usage in news and media. While it's important to use it correctly, avoiding confusion with long-term climate trends, the phrase is a valuable tool for describing short-term meteorological events. Alternatives like "cold spell" or "icy blast" can offer slightly different nuances, but "cold snap" remains a standard and effective term. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and the BBC further solidifies its reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cold spell

Replaces "snap" with "spell", maintaining the meaning of a short period of cold weather. It's a direct synonym.

sudden cold weather

Emphasizes the abrupt onset of cold weather, focusing on the sudden change in temperature.

bitterly cold period

Highlights the intensity of the cold, adding a sense of severity to the duration of the cold.

freeze

A more concise term referring to a period of freezing temperatures, omitting the duration implied by "snap".

icy blast

Implies a sudden rush of cold air, suggesting a more intense but potentially shorter duration of cold.

arctic outbreak

Suggests the origin of the cold air mass, indicating a severe and sudden drop in temperature.

unseasonable chill

Highlights that the cold is occurring outside of the typical winter months, referring more to the unexpected timing of the cold.

deep freeze

Emphasizes the intensity and duration of the cold period, implying extremely low temperatures.

frosty interval

Focuses on the presence of frost, indicating temperatures at or below freezing for a limited time.

polar vortex

A more specific term referring to the intrusion of Arctic air, associated with extreme cold weather events.

FAQs

How can I use "cold snap" in a sentence?

You can use "cold snap" to describe a sudden, brief period of cold weather. For instance, "The "cold snap" damaged the citrus crops" or "A "cold snap" is expected to hit the region next week".

What's an alternative to the phrase "cold snap"?

Alternatives to "cold snap" include "cold spell", "sudden cold weather", or "icy blast", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "cold snap" when talking about a long winter?

No, "cold snap" refers to a short, often unexpected, period of cold weather. A long winter would not typically be described as a "cold snap". Instead, you might refer to it as a "prolonged winter" or "severe winter".

What causes a "cold snap"?

A "cold snap" is typically caused by a sudden shift in air masses, often bringing Arctic air southward. This can be influenced by weather patterns like the polar vortex or changes in the jet stream.