formidable weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable weather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe weather conditions that are impressive, powerful, or challenging, often implying difficulty or severity. Example: "The hikers were unprepared for the formidable weather that hit the mountain, with strong winds and heavy snowfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That he seems entirely untouched, able to allow this formidable weather front of diffuse public hunger simply to wash over him, is doubly startling.

The Guardian - Sport

The storm is expected to be as strong as the formidable weather system that hit Los Angeles the first week of January, and to carry even stronger winds, National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Despite the narratives which have the Acra constructed within a very short time-span, it was nevertheless formidable enough to weather long periods of siege.

Wikipedia

This 93rd Giro traveled 3,430 kilometers from the start in Rotterdam on May 3 and the original field of 198 men, now down to 134 — a common rate of attrition — passed over narrow roads in cold and rainy weather, climbed formidable mountains and came down them at terrifying speeds.

The New York Times - Sports

BP may finally be achieving success in capturing oil from its runaway well in the Gulf of Mexico, and relief wells are on pace to permanently stem the flow this summer, but a formidable obstacle still looms: the weather.

The New York Times - Science

BP has proved to be a formidable moneymaking machine capable of weathering the storm.

The New York Times

Everyone I spoke to highlighted L.A.'s formidable resources: great universities, cultural diversity, weather.

Los Angeles Times

Building the undulating wall and finding the right weather-proof tile were formidable technical challenges.

The New York Times - Arts

We'd discussed the 2003 vintage obsessively on the way here and had worked up a formidable worry list based on the weird weather: overblown alcohol levels; loads of tannin; faded, raisiny fruit; and clumsy dullness due to low acidity.

Forbes

We encounter vast deserts, jungles, and formidable mountain passes in all kinds of weather: blistering heat, torrential storms, and treacherous blizzards.

Huffington Post

In 1998 she confirmed that her formidable powers were intact with an evocative performance of Stormy Weather on the Rosie O'Donnell Show on American television.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formidable weather", consider the specific impact you want to convey. It's suitable when emphasizing not only the severity but also the impressive or daunting nature of the weather conditions.

Common error

While "formidable" adds emphasis, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversation. Overuse can make your language sound overly formal or pretentious. Consider simpler alternatives like "intense" or "severe" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable weather" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the weather as being impressive and powerful, often implying a challenging or severe nature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formidable weather" is used to describe weather conditions that are impressively severe or challenging. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in English. While grammatically sound and appropriate for formal contexts like news reporting, it may sound slightly out of place in casual conversation. The most semantically similar alternatives are "severe weather" and "intense weather". It's crucial to consider the specific impact of weather conditions you want to convey in order not to overuse the word "formidable" in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe weather

Focuses on the intensity and potential danger of the weather, omitting the sense of impressiveness.

intense weather

Highlights the high degree of strength and force present in the weather conditions.

extreme weather

Emphasizes the departure from normal conditions, focusing on the unusual and potentially hazardous nature of the weather.

challenging weather

Stresses the difficulty posed by the weather conditions, highlighting the obstacles they present.

harsh weather

Indicates weather conditions that are unpleasant and difficult to endure.

powerful weather

Highlights the great force and strength of the weather.

unrelenting weather

Focuses on the continuous and persistent nature of the weather conditions, suggesting a lack of respite.

fierce weather

Conveys a sense of wildness and intensity in the weather.

brutal weather

Implies a degree of cruelty and severity in the weather conditions.

adverse weather

Indicates weather conditions that are unfavorable or harmful.

FAQs

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

You can use "formidable weather" to describe conditions that are both severe and impressive, such as, "The climbers faced "formidable weather" high in the mountains, with strong winds and heavy snow."

What's a good alternative to "formidable weather"?

Depending on the context, you might use "severe weather", "intense weather", or "extreme weather" as alternatives to "formidable weather".

Is it appropriate to use "formidable weather" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "formidable weather" might sound overly formal in casual settings. Simpler terms like "bad weather" or "tough weather" might be more suitable.

What makes "formidable weather" different from "bad weather"?

"Formidable weather" implies not just that the weather is unpleasant, but that it is impressively or dauntingly severe. "Bad weather" is a more general and less intense description.