how to decide whether use hace as in hace sol or hace viento vs esta as in esta nubliado or esta lloviendo?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Okay, so we're talking about the weather. 

Well, let's start with weather desciptions such as "está nevando" and "está lloviendo." You see, they both have something in common. They're both in the present-progressive form. 

Present-Progressive means that they end in ING. 

"Está nevando" means "It is snowING." 

"Está lloviendo" means  "It is rainING." 

So, you use "está" when you're talking about a weather pattern that is happening right now. And it ends in ING, when translated into English. 

There are exceptions. 

Spanish speakers do say, "Está nublado," (It is cloudy) 
and "Está despejado." (It is clear)

And in Mexico, they do say, "Hace nubes," which means "It is cloudy." 

For every other weather description, you use "hace." Because that's just the way the language works.

Hace sol. 
Hace calor.
Hace frío.

You get it?

anonymous · Answer

i think so - Spanish speakers use esta for a weather pattern currently happening as an exception, but Mexican speakers and for all others descriptions of the weather, hace is used.  thanks, tulsi

anonymous · Answer

you're welcome!