Pronunciation: [wˈɪntɹi wˈɛðə] (IPA) 
The word "wintry weather" is spelt phonetically as /ˈwɪn.tri ˈwɛð.ər/. The first syllable "win" is pronounced as "wɪn" with the "i" being pronounced as "ih" as in the word "bin". The second syllable "try" is pronounced as "tri" with a short "i" sound as in the word "sit". The last syllable "weather" is pronounced as "wɛð.ər" with a "th" sound as in the word "thin" and the "r" sound is slightly pronounced.
Wintry weather refers to the conditions and phenomena that are typically associated with the winter season. It encompasses a wide range of atmospheric elements and climatic characteristics that occur during colder months and can vary significantly depending on geographical location.
Common features of wintry weather include lowered temperatures, sub-freezing temperatures, and the presence of snow. Snowfall is one of the hallmark traits of wintry weather, consisting of atmospheric moisture condensed into ice crystals that fall from the clouds to the ground. Snow can accumulate, creating a winter landscape and affecting daily life by covering roads, sidewalks, and rooftops.
Wintry weather can also include other forms of frozen precipitation, such as sleet and freezing rain. Sleet refers to frozen raindrops or ice pellets that fall to the ground, creating a layer of frozen particles. Freezing rain occurs when rain falls as liquid but freezes upon contact with a surface that is at or below freezing temperature, resulting in the formation of a thin layer of ice.
Additionally, wintry weather may be accompanied by strong winds, blizzards, and reduced visibility due to snowstorms. These conditions can create hazardous travel conditions and often lead to the cancellation or disruption of transportation services.
Overall, wintry weather encompasses the combination of cold temperatures, frozen precipitation, and associated atmospheric conditions that define the winter season, making it a crucial aspect of understanding the impacts and characteristics of the colder months.
The word "wintry" is derived from the noun "winter" combined with the suffix "-y", which is used to form adjectives related to the base word.
The noun "winter" can be traced back to the Old English word "winter" or "wintar", which had the same meaning. This Old English term was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wintruz".
Ultimately, the Proto-Germanic root was derived from the Proto-Indo-European word "*wend", meaning "wet" or "white". This indicates that the word "wintry" initially referred to the cold and snowy characteristics associated with the winter season.
Therefore, "wintry weather" refers to the cold and snowy conditions typically observed during winter.
