nepohody

Nepohody, or непогоды in Cyrillic, is a term used in Russian to denote periods of bad weather. In general use, nepohody refer to inclement weather conditions that disrupt normal life, such as heavy precipitation, strong winds, blizzards, or cold spells. The concept is often applied to several consecutive days of unfavorable conditions rather than a single weather event.

Etymology: formed from the negating prefix не- combined with pogoda 'weather'. The plural непогоды emphasizes recurring or extended adverse weather, while the singular непогода can refer to an instance of bad weather.

Usage and context: Nepohody appears in weather reports, agricultural planning, and transportation planning, where extended poor weather can affect harvest, travel, shipping, and flight schedules. In literature and folklore, the term can symbolize hardship and obstacle; it is also used in idiomatic expressions and headlines to convey severity of weather.

Regional variation: The severity and typical duration of nepohody vary by climate, with maritime regions seeing more frequent storms, while continental climates may emphasize snow and cold spells. In modern meteorology, nepohody is less a formal category and more a descriptive, colloquial term alongside more technical weather warnings.