Expressions related to the weather

Question

I have recently learnt that we use "hacer" in some cases and "estar" in some other cases when talking about the weather. For exmaple, we use "hacer calor" but we use "está nublado". What is different between the cases that we use "hacer" and cases that we use "estar"?

Answer 1

From Learn Spanish 1, accordingly, in spanish you use "hacer" to describe the weather with some exceptions that you must use "está" for snowing and raining. Note that the está structure still follow the está + present progressing from.

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum!

There really isn't a set rule for the use of "hacer" or "estar" with weather. Generally speaking, phrases that refer to how hot or cold it is use "hacer"; generally speaking phrases that refer to precipitation do not use "hacer".

You might consider making yourself some flashcards and just doing some memorization...not fun, I know, but it's probably the best way to learn these expressions. Memorization may be more effective than logic on the weather expressions!

Good question! and good luck!