Weather Forecast (be going to-will) (2025)

Should we use "will" or "be going to" with weather forecasts?

For example,
The weather forecast says that it (will-is going to) rain tomorrow.

I read that "will" is mostly used. But what's confusing me is that "be going to" is supposed to be used when there's evidence behind the prediction, which is always the case with forecasts; they always predict based on evidence. So, why do they use "will"?

"... "be going to" is supposed to be used when there's evidence behind the prediction, ..." <- this is not a rule. It is guidance. There are exceptions.

"They say it will rain tomorrow." is a little stronger in its certainty than "They say it is going to rain tomorrow." (The forecasters know that it may rain on my house but not on your house, even if we live in the same area.)

I wonder, which form would be more likely used to talk about weather predictions made not by official forecasters but by village folk: "My granny says it will/ is going to rain tomorrow".

I understand Emanko's puzzlement, so perhaps the standard textbook story which doesn't sit well with these examples needs to be straightened. And learners do need guidance that's more or less clear-cut in nature.

PaulQ said:

"... "be going to" is supposed to be used when there's evidence behind the prediction, ..." <- this is not a rule. It is guidance. There are exceptions.

"They say it will rain tomorrow." is a little stronger in its certainty than "They say it is going to rain tomorrow." (The forecasters know that it may rain on my house but not on your house, even if we live in the same area.)

Click to expand...

I'm even more confused now.
According to grammar books, "be going to" is mostly used to talk about plans, intentions or predictions with evidence. Forecasts prediction is with evidence. So, are you saying that we use "will" because we're still not sure that it "will" rain tomorrow?

To add to what etb said, you correctly say "According to grammar books, "be going to" is mostly used to talk about plans," <- you will note that it is not always.

In some whether forecasts, they say "There is a 90%/good/slight, etc chance of rain in the Northwest."and even "the Northwest" is an ill-defined area.

In the UK, rainfall (and other weather conditions) is very localised, and meteorologists recognise that their predictions may not be 100% accurate for 100% of the population despite all the technology they have.

Emanko, maybe the explanation that I would give my students could help. "Will" and "be going to" are both used for predictions, but let's think of them as private predictions, in this case the evidence parameter is more or less reliable. But when we talk about official weather forecasts, these are kind of like statements of future fact, and for these the English language uses "will".

Or, putting it more playfully, weather forecasters invariably get things wrong (at least where I live), so what sort of evidence is it?

< This question has been added to an earlier thread. Please scroll up and read from the top. Cagey, moderator. >

Hello everybody,

I've a question about the future when talking about weather forecast: "It just said on the radio it is going to snow/ it will snow"? I can't see the difference...

Thanks a lot for your help!