tormenta de nieve
/toɾmenta de njebe/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase snowstorm is translated into Spanish as tormenta de nieve. If unsure, use tormenta de nieve. Wiktionary also lists nevasca and tormenta nívea.
Meaning: bad weather involving blowing winds and snow (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tormenta de nieve | /toɾmenta de njebe/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| nevasca | /neˈbaska/ | feminine |
| tormenta nívea | /toɾmenta nibea/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| tormenta nival | /toɾmenta nibal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| nevazón | /nebaθon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /nebason/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase tormenta de nieve, the prepositional phrase de nieve (of snow) acts as an adjective to modify the noun tormenta (storm).
Which one should you use?
The term nevazón specifically emphasizes the volume or intensity of the falling snow rather than the wind or storm aspect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, temporal de nieve is a common way to describe a snowstorm.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the listed forms are feminine nouns.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use tormenta nívea thinking it means 'snowstorm', but nívea is a poetic adjective meaning 'snow-white' and is rarely used in weather reports.
Did you know?
- The word tormenta shares the same Latin root as the English word 'torment'. Originally, it referred to an engine used for hurling missiles, linking the violence of a storm to physical torture.
- In Spain, you will often hear temporal de nieve instead of tormenta. In this context, temporal refers to a prolonged period of bad weather rather than a single sudden storm.
Examples in context
- La tormenta de nieve no amainaba.The snowstorm continued.This sentence shows the use of tormenta de nieve to describe a continuing storm.Tatoeba #1266972 by marcelostockle, translation #645082 by CK
- La tormenta de nieve amainaba paulatinamente.The snowstorm gradually abated.This sentence shows how to use tormenta de nieve when describing a storm that is gradually abating.Tatoeba #7095821 by Eremon, translation #2884995 by AlanF_US
- Perdí el sentido de la orientación en la tormenta de nieve.I lost my sense of direction in the snowstorm.This sentence illustrates how to use tormenta de nieve when discussing losing one's orientation.Tatoeba #841932 by Shishir, translation #680699 by Source_VOA
- ¡La nevada de ayer fue impresionante! No podía ni salir de casa.Yesterday's snowstorm was impressive! I couldn't even leave the house.
- El país está sufriendo un intenso temporal de nieve que ha paralizado varias regiones.The country is suffering an intense snowstorm that has paralyzed several regions.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing the weather forecast for their trip.
- LucíaDicen que habrá una tormenta de nieve mañana.They say there will be a snowstorm tomorrow.
- Mateo¿Crees que cancelarán los vuelos?Do you think they will cancel the flights?
- LucíaEs muy probable por la tormenta de nieve.It is very likely because of the snowstorm.
- MateoEntonces es mejor que nos quedemos en casa.Then it is better that we stay home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowstorm” translations and entries nevasca, nevazón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, nieve, tormenta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
