Translation guide
A period of abnormally cold weather, often sudden and severe. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with specific meteorological terms or descriptive phrases.
A sudden, large drop in temperature over a short period, often associated with weather forecasts.
A sudden period of cold weather in everyday conversation.
A natural, everyday way to say 'it suddenly gets cold'. Not a noun, but a common verbal expression.
昨日まで暖かかったのに、急に寒くなったね。
It was warm until yesterday, but it suddenly got cold, huh?
The direct translation '冷たい波' (tsumetai nami) means a 'cold wave' in the sense of an ocean wave that is cold, not a weather phenomenon. Do not use this for meteorological cold waves.
A strong cold wave is expected to arrive this weekend.
寒波の影響で、全国的に気温が下がるでしょう。
Due to the cold wave, temperatures will drop nationwide.
A more intense cold wave, often used for severe events.
記録的な大寒波が日本列島を襲った。
A record-breaking severe cold wave hit the Japanese archipelago.
Literally 'influx of cold air', a more technical phrase used in meteorology.
上空に強い寒気の流入があり、大雪となる恐れがあります。
There is a strong influx of cold air aloft, which may bring heavy snow.
Refers to a return of cold weather in early spring, similar to a 'cold snap' after a warm spell.
桜が咲いたのに、寒の戻りでまた冬みたいだ。
The cherry blossoms bloomed, but with this cold snap it feels like winter again.