Meaning
Stating that it is currently snowing.
Cultural Background
In Spain, snow is common in the north and the center (like Segovia or Ávila), but very rare on the Mediterranean coast. When it snows in Madrid, it's a major news event. In the south (Patagonia), snow is a way of life. Bariloche is the 'snow capital'. Saying 'está nevando' there is common from June to August. Snow is rare in most of Mexico, occurring mainly in high-altitude areas like the Nevado de Toluca. Most Mexicans see snow as a special travel experience. In countries like Colombia or Ecuador, snow only exists on the 'picos nevados' (snowy peaks) of the Andes. For people in the cities, 'está nevando' is something they only see on TV.
Add 'mucho'
To say it's snowing hard, just add 'mucho' at the end: 'Está nevando mucho'.
No 'It'
Never start the sentence with 'Lo' or 'Ello'. Just start with 'Está'.
Meaning
Stating that it is currently snowing.
Add 'mucho'
To say it's snowing hard, just add 'mucho' at the end: 'Está nevando mucho'.
No 'It'
Never start the sentence with 'Lo' or 'Ello'. Just start with 'Está'.
Use 'Sigue'
If it has been snowing for a long time, say 'Sigue nevando' (It's still snowing).
Snow vs. Ice Cream
In Mexico, if someone asks if you want 'nieve', they might be offering you a sorbet, not a trip to the mountains!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct way to say 'It is snowing' in Spanish.
Mira por la ventana, _______.
Spanish uses 'está' + the gerund 'nevando' for current weather.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'estar'.
Ayer a esta hora _______ nevando mucho.
We use the imperfect 'estaba' to describe an ongoing weather event in the past.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Quieres ir al parque? B: No, mira el cielo, _______.
The context of 'No' and 'mira el cielo' suggests a weather condition that prevents going to the park.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are calling your mom from a ski resort and you see snow falling right now.
'Está nevando' is the best choice for a real-time observation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Estar vs. Hace
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMira por la ventana, _______.
Spanish uses 'está' + the gerund 'nevando' for current weather.
Ayer a esta hora _______ nevando mucho.
We use the imperfect 'estaba' to describe an ongoing weather event in the past.
A: ¿Quieres ir al parque? B: No, mira el cielo, _______.
The context of 'No' and 'mira el cielo' suggests a weather condition that prevents going to the park.
You are calling your mom from a ski resort and you see snow falling right now.
'Está nevando' is the best choice for a real-time observation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you must use 'estar' because weather is a temporary state.
'Nieva' is for general facts (It snows in winter), while 'está nevando' is for right now.
You can say 'Está empezando a nevar'.
Yes, it is universally understood, even in countries where it never snows.
Say 'Ha parado de nevar' or 'Ya no está nevando'.
No, for TV static we say 'la tele tiene nieve' or 'hay nieve en la tele'.
No, 'nevando' is the gerund form of the verb 'nevar'. The noun is 'nieve'.
You can say 'Está nevando fuerte' or 'Está nevando intensamente'.
No, 'Está nevando' is complete on its own.
No, it is a stem-changing verb (e -> ie), but the gerund 'nevando' is regular.
Related Phrases
cae nieve
similarSnow is falling
hay una nevada
builds onThere is a snowstorm
está granizando
similarIt is hailing
está chispeando
contrastIt is drizzling
copo de nieve
specialized formSnowflake
