climate, season, weather, wait for, expect
候 centers on observing and responding to natural cycles or signs: climate, season, and weather are patterns you watch for, while waiting and expecting are the human side of watching for something to happen.
候 is thought to combine 亻 (person) with a phonetic element that also suggests watching or observing. The modern form is closely related to 侯, with an added stroke distinguishing it.
A person 亻 standing with a vertical marker 丨, like someone watching a sundial or weather vane to track the season and know when to expect change.
For コウ, imagine a person waiting for the changing seasons while holding a coat: coat -> コウ, because you need a coat when the weather shifts.
candidate; contender; prospect; pick; choice; list
syndrome
climate
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (to host an event, e.g. the Olympics)
weather
to be
season; weather
sign; indication; omen; symptom
bad weather
lodger who pays nothing for room and board; freeloader; sponger
candidate (for an election)
scout; patrol; spy
please ...; please do ...
weather measurement station
symptom
all-weather; weather-proof
keep (it) steady (after a turn)
(yet) again
season; time of the year
meteorological observation