Using the present perfect to describe past weather
Hi! I am unsure if it is common to use the present perfect tense to describe past weather?
- Ayer ha hecho frío/calor
- La semana pasada ha llovido.
Gracias por adelantado!
2 Answers
Both tenses are possible in Spanish.
Ha hecho frío/Hizo frío.
La semana pasada ha llovido mucho/llovió mucho.
Welcome to the forum 
Good question. Here is my current understanding of Spanish usage of preterite vs past perfect. There is a significant difference here between Peninsular Spanish (Spanish in Spain) vs. Latin American Spanish.
I think it is most common (everywhere) to use the preterite when the period of time is clearly over.
Llovió diez veces el año pasado.
It rained 10 times last year.
In Spain, if the climatic event is no longer going on, but we are still living within the time period mentioned, it is most common to use the present perfect.
Ya ha llovido tres veces esta semana.
It has already rained three times this week.
In Latin American and U.S. Spanish, the above usage is also possible, but it is also very common to use the preterite in these situations.
Llovió tres veces esta semana.
It rained three times this week.
I think the likelihood of using the preterite increases is we're talking about a single event.
Llovió esta mañana. (in Latin America, even if it is before noon now, but especially if it is past noon)
It rained this morning.
Ha llovido esta mañana. (most common in Spain if it is before noon OR after noon during this day. )
It has rained this morning. This is VERY uncommon in U.S. English, and it is my understanding that it is quite uncommon in Latin American Spanish. (big difference vs. Spain)
Usage may change if there is a strongly felt perception that the climatic events are connected to to present. For example...that's why we have flooding....or that's why I am depressed. Connection to the present tends to move the choice towards the present perfect. In other words...even if the time period is stated and clearly over, the present perfect can be used if there is a strong connection to the present. This tends to create the feeling that, even though the events are over, we are still experiencing the consequences either emotionally or physically.
The above is my understanding from various lessons I have taken regarding Peninsular Spanish vs Latin American Spanish. If any of the above is incorrect I look forward to receiving corrections.
