Phew! Is anyone else feeling the heat lately? Not just from the rising mercury, but from a particularly potent crossword clue that’s been simmering on the puzzle page. It’s the kind of clue that makes you grab a cold drink and really settle in, because it perfectly captures a sensation we all know, yet makes finding the exact word feel like an expedition through a desert.
The clue in question is:
“Scorching spell of weather (8)“
.
Right away, those eight letters shout a challenge. “Scorching” immediately sets the tone: we’re not talking about a pleasant warmth or a mild summer day. This is intense, extreme heat – the kind that makes the pavement shimmer and requires seeking shade. It evokes images of parched landscapes, relentlessly bright sun, and a general sense of oppressive warmth. The word itself is so vivid, almost tangible in its description of high temperatures.
Then we have “spell.” In the context of weather, “spell” very clearly indicates a period or a duration. It suggests something that lasts for a stretch of time, rather than a fleeting moment. So, we’re not just looking for a word that means “hot,” but specifically one that describes an extended period of
hot weather
. This temporal aspect is crucial; it helps us narrow down the vast lexicon of heat-related terms. A “spell” implies persistence, an unbroken continuum of extreme conditions. This particular crossword clue is asking for a single, eight-letter word that encompasses both the intensity of the heat and its prolonged nature.
What springs to mind when you consider such a persistent, extreme meteorological event? Crossword setters often delight in words that are precise, evocative, and sometimes just slightly less common than their everyday synonyms. Is it a word specific to meteorology, a more literary term, or something that has seeped into common parlance to describe an extraordinary stretch of relentless warmth?
The beauty of a well-crafted crossword clue like this lies in its ability to send your mind down multiple avenues. You might start by thinking of synonyms for “scorching”: burning, searing, torrid. Then consider synonyms for “spell”: period, stretch, duration, bout. But the magic happens when you find that single, perfect word that marries both concepts seamlessly, an eight-letter wonder that perfectly encapsulates an unbroken stretch of very, very hot atmospheric conditions.
Unravelling a tricky crossword clue such as this requires a blend of vocabulary, lateral thinking, and sometimes, a little bit of external inspiration. It’s not just about knowing words, but understanding how they fit contextually and how a setter might manipulate language. This “Scorching spell of weather (8)” crossword clue is a brilliant example of how a seemingly straightforward description can lead to a satisfyingly elusive solution. The “aha!” moment, when you finally connect all the dots and slot in that perfect eight-letter word, is what makes the whole experience so rewarding. It’s a testament to the power of language and the thrill of the chase in the world of crosswords. Keep thinking about those prolonged periods of extreme heat! What word truly captures that essence for you?
Available Answers:
HEATWAVE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Thursday, 4 December 2025