It snows and it's snowing

Question

Recently I had a conversation with my friend. He asked me one question, which aroused a huge dispute and created diversity of opinions.

Here two sentences:

It snows.

It is snowing.

_________________

The first one is likely to be used when talking about general events, for instance describing winter and its habits, if I can say so.

It usually snows in winter.

It's more or less clear.

The second one can also be used, I believe, when emphasizing the duration of snowing, temporarity or an event.

"I've been waiting for winter so long! Look out, it's snowing!"

Let's come to translating matter, shall we? The first one is rather clear. The second one, unfortunately, is not. We can translate both of them in Russian with exactly the same words. But what my friend proposed was to translate the second sentence like "it's snowy". Is it possible?

If we say "it's snowy" we are just imlying a lot of snow around or when snow is falling, can't we?

If so, we can say "it's snowy" or "it's snowing" with approximately the same meaning just describing that there is a lot of snow, no matter whether it falls or lays in heaps around. Am I right?

Thank in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

'It's snowy' is odd, but it is similar to your interpretation of 'it snows'-- both relate to the sort of climate or ongoing weather. 'It's snowing' means now.

Ferdis · Answer

'It snows' is in the simple present tense. It indicates a fixed habit or state, repeated or continuous.

'It is snowing' is in the present continuous tense. It indicates a temporary state, something that may be happening now but does not by default.

'It snows in December' is a statement meaning that it usually/always snows in that month, regardless of what the weather is actually like at the moment. It's a general observation of a state.

'It is snowing in December' means that this is happening now (or in the near future in December) and is of temporary nature. It's a specific observation of an event.

Fandorin · Answer

Thank you Mr.Micawber.

Mister Micawberongoing weather

So if I grasp it correctly, can we describe such a state of weather with adjective "snowy" reffering not only to heaps of snow but to flakes coming down as well?

By the way, Mr.M. How would you describe a state of weather when a lot of snow is falling down using adjective?

Fandorin · Answer

Dear Ferdis, I appreciate your help and believe it's of good intentions, but this is the second time you've neglected to answer my question, so please, don't do it again. I can go without it.

Ferdis · Answer

FandorinDear Ferdis, I appreciate your help and believe it's of good intentions, but this is the second time you've neglected to answer my question, so please, don't do it again. I can go without it.

Sure, no problem. I don't remember the first time, though, but I'll take your word for it. :-) I just didn't see why there was this whole lead in (and title) on snow versus snowing if you only wanted to ask whether snowy is correct; I missed the connection.

Yankee · Answer

Hi Fandorin

FandorinSo if I grasp it correctly, can we describe such a state of weather with adjective "snowy" reffering not only to heaps of snow but to flakes coming down as well?

"Flakes coming down" sounds like you're referring to "flurries".

I doubt that I would use "snowy" to describe a day on which there were only flurries. In other words, I would tend to associate the word snowy with the type of snowfall that results in accumulation on the ground.

I might use "snowy" as a description of general climatic conditions (where a significant amount of snow falls regularly), or I might possibly use it to describe the weather on a particular day (a day on which there was continuous snowfall or a lot of snow showers).

CalifJim · Answer

snowy

1 a : composed of snow or melted snow b : marked by or covered with snow
2 a : whitened by snow b : snow-white (snowy egret; snowy owl)

According to the definition above, "It's snowy" would not be a very good translation of "Snyeg idyot", if that's what you're translating. Nevertheless, like Yankee, I hear "snowy" as a general description of weather in which it may be snowing from time to time and snow flurries in the air are being blown about by occasional gusts of wind. I don't see "snowy" as the exact word, however, for continuously falling snow. Perhaps, in the right context, or in some poetic use, you could use "snowy" for your translation, but I wouldn't recommend it in the general case of ordinary conversation.

(Note also the confusion that the color "byelosnyezhniy" can also be rendered in English as "snowy".)

CJ

P.S. I hope my Russian was adequate to your needs. It's been years since Russian class.

Fandorin · Answer

Hi Amy. Thank you so much.

YankeeFlakes coming down" sounds like you're referring to "flurries".

I meant "snowflakes". I thought the word "flakes" was able to substitute for "snowflakes".

Thank you Jim. I'm really taken aback at your Russian.

CalifJimI don't see "snowy" as the exact word, however, for continuously falling snow.

What adjective would you rather use instead?

CalifJim · Answer

FandorinWhat adjective would you rather use instead?

No. No adjective. To translate that I would keep it simple and use "It's snowing" -- end of story.

CJ

Dimsumexpress · Answer

FandorinDear Ferdis, I appreciate your help and believe it's of good intentions, but this is the second time you've neglected to answer my question, so please, don't do it again. I can go without it.

Fandorin,

Allow me to refresh your memory. I had this conversation with you before and I was not impressed with your atttiude toward people who tried to offer you help. Different people will respond differently to posters' questions. They offer you a valid answer and it is up to you to grasp it. If you don't understand it, you may ask again and people are generally gracious enough to explain it. But it is so rude of you to respond with such raw arrogance.

It snows and it's snowing

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