El tiempo y las horas Weather and Time

La profesora mira el pronostico del tiempo. Manana por la manana hace sol y hay veinte grados. Por la tarde puede llover. La profesora decide ir al parque por la manana y volver antes del mediodia.

Teacher Garcia looks at the weather forecast on her phone on Friday night. She wants to organise an outdoor event for her students in the park. The forecast says that on Saturday morning it will be sunny and the temperature will be twenty degrees. But in the afternoon it might rain and there is a possibility of a storm at three o'clock. The teacher reads the forecast twice to be sure. She finally decides to go to the park in the morning and return before midday to avoid the afternoon rain.

Los estudiantes llegan al parque a las diez. Hace calor y el cielo esta despejado. Todos estan contentos. La profesora dice que tienen hasta las doce para las actividades.

On Saturday at ten o'clock in the morning, the students arrive at the park with their backpacks. It is pleasantly warm, about eighteen degrees, and the sky is completely clear. There is not a single cloud. Everyone is very happy. Miguel shouts: 'What great weather! It is sunny and there is no wind. It is perfect for playing.' Teacher Garcia smiles: 'Yes, this morning the weather is ideal. We have until twelve o'clock to do the activities. After twelve the weather might change, according to the forecast.' The children begin to play and sing songs in Spanish under the sun.

A las doce el cielo se pone gris. Empieza a llover con fuerza. Hay truenos y relampagos. Todos corren bajo los arboles. La profesora cuenta a los estudiantes.

At a quarter to twelve the sky begins to turn grey very quickly. At twelve o'clock exactly the first black clouds arrive. At ten past twelve it starts raining heavily. There are very loud thunderclaps and some lightning flashes on the horizon. Everyone runs to take shelter under the large trees in the park. The teacher counts all the students: 'One, two, three... Good, we are all here. Do not move from the tree. We must wait for the rain to pass.' Sofia says nervously: 'It is very cold now. Ten minutes ago it was sunny and now there is a storm.' The teacher replies: 'That is how the weather is in autumn.'

La tormenta dura una hora. Despues hace frio y el cielo esta nublado. La profesora decide cambiar el evento al sabado siguiente. Los estudiantes estan decepcionados pero entienden.

The storm lasts almost an hour. At half past one it stops raining, but the sky remains cloudy and it is very cold, only eight degrees. Teacher Garcia decides to cancel the rest of the event and announce a new date. 'Students, I am very sorry. Because of the weather we have to change our plans. We will hold the event next Saturday, if the weather is better.' The students are disappointed but they understand. Miguel asks: 'Teacher, what time will the next event be?' She replies: 'At ten in the morning, like today. But this time we check the forecast more carefully. The weather in autumn is very unpredictable.'

El sabado siguiente hace sol y hace diecisiete grados. La profesora comprueba el pronostico. Todos llegan al parque a las diez. El evento es un exito. Los estudiantes cantan y hacen un picnic.

The following Saturday dawns with a perfect blue sky. At nine in the morning the teacher checks the forecast: it will be sunny all day, seventeen degrees with a gentle northerly breeze. At ten o'clock exactly all the students arrive at the park, this time with warmer clothes. The weather is magnificent: neither cold nor hot, perfect for being outdoors. The event is a complete success. The students sing, recite poems in Spanish, and have a picnic. At two in the afternoon, when the event ends, Sofia tells the teacher: 'This Saturday the weather is perfect. Twenty-five happy students!' The teacher laughs: 'And no storm!'