Earthquake weather
Meaning: Unusually hot, still, and humid weather that Californians superstitiously believe precedes an earthquake.
There's no scientific basis for earthquake weather, but Californians use the term constantly. When the air feels heavy, still, and oppressively warm — especially in normally temperate coastal areas — people say 'feels like earthquake weather.' It's part of California's collective relationship with seismic activity and reflects how earthquakes are woven into daily consciousness.
Examples
- It's so hot and still outside — this feels like earthquake weather. 外面又热又一点风都没有——感觉像是地震天。Hace mucho calor y no corre nada de aire fuera — esto parece tiempo de terremoto.外がすごく暑くて風もない — 地震日和って感じだ。밖이 너무 덥고 바람도 없어 — 완전 지진 날씨 같아.
- Everyone at work was joking about earthquake weather when it hit 95 at the beach. 海边气温飙到95华氏度(35℃)的时候,公司的人都在开玩笑说是地震天。Todos en el trabajo bromeaban sobre el tiempo de terremoto cuando llegó a 35 °C en la playa.ビーチで95°F(35℃)になった時、職場のみんなが地震日和だって冗談言ってた。해변에서 95°F(35℃)까지 올라갔을 때 직장 사람들 모두 지진 날씨라고 농담했어.
- My grandma always says to prepare when it feels like earthquake weather. 我奶奶每次感觉是地震天的时候,都会叫我们做好准备。Mi abuela siempre dice que hay que prepararse cuando el tiempo parece de terremoto.おばあちゃんは地震日和だと感じると、いつも備えろって言うんだ。우리 할머니는 지진 날씨 같은 느낌이 들면 항상 대비하라고 하셔.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: weather, superstition, California culture
Tone: ominous, humorous
✓ Do Say
- This is earthquake weather for sure.这绝对是地震天。Esto es tiempo de terremoto seguro.これは絶対に地震日和だよ。이건 확실히 지진 날씨야.
- Every time it gets this hot, someone says earthquake weather.每次热成这样,就有人说是地震天。Cada vez que hace tanto calor, alguien dice que es tiempo de terremoto.こんなに暑くなるたびに、誰かが地震日和って言うんだよ。이렇게 더워질 때마다 누군가 지진 날씨라고 말해.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't present earthquake weather as scientific fact — it's a fun California superstition, not real meteorology不要把地震天当成科学事实——这是加州人有趣的迷信,不是真正的气象学No presentes el 'earthquake weather' como un hecho científico — es una superstición californiana divertida, no meteorología real地震日和を科学的事実として語らないこと — 楽しいカリフォルニアの迷信であって、本当の気象学ではない지진 날씨를 과학적 사실처럼 말하지 마라 — 재미있는 캘리포니아의 미신이지, 진짜 기상학이 아니다
Origin & History
A California folk belief dating back to at least the early 20th century. Despite scientists repeatedly debunking any weather-earthquake connection, the concept persists in California culture as a way of making sense of the state's seismic reality.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: California-wide — especially coastal areas
More From This Topic
More from Regional: California
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free