This year, according to forecasters, Europe is due for a super El Niño, leading to a long, hot summer and cold, dry winter. Here is some ESL vocabulary to talk about the upcoming weather.

To get a tan / to tan – when skin goes brown after sun exposure.

“When I was younger, I always tried to get a tan in summer. Now that I’m older, I avoid it.”

To get sunstroke – to feel nauseous after being in the sun too long.

“You shouldn’t do exercise at midday or you risk getting sunstroke.”

To have record temperatures / the temperature is off the scale – description of extreme heat.

“We have had record temperatures all summer.”

To be scorching/ to be boiling – to have very high temperatures.

“Put on your sun hat, it’ scorching outside!”

To be muggy – a hot and humid day.

“It’s so muggy today, I am sweating like a pig.”

Drought /drowt/ – when it doesn’t rain for a long time and the land becomes so dry that plants can’t grow.

‘The rivers dried this summer due to a severe drought.’

Final thoughts and homework

For more on the El Niño heading our way, check out this BBC video on the topic, but try not to get too worried; there is really nothing that we can do about it. Enjoy your summer 😉