Simply put, we use impersonal verbs to talk about the weather, which is why they are sometimes referred to as "weather verbs" or "meteorological verbs." The majority of impersonal verbs, such rain, storm, snow, and thunder, have a clear connection to the environment.

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Some verbs used to describe the weather are not necessarily impersonal and have other, non-weather-related meanings. Pour, for instance, can be used to discuss flowing liquids; in this instance, it is not impersonal and necessitates a common topic.

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Introduction

Some verbs are always impersonal, but sometimes normal verbs can act like impersonal verbs depending on how they’re used. For example, the verbs be and happen can act as impersonal verbs when used to talk about the weather or certain general conditions.

Why is it so hot today?

It’s darker in here than it is outside.

It happened to rain during our camping trip.

The majority of impersonal verbs relate to the weather, but not all. Certain idioms and phrases use otherwise normal verbs as impersonal verbs.

So it’s come to this.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to war.

Likewise, the verb phrase looks like can act as an impersonal verb when used in a generic sense or when used to talk about the weather.

It looks like a win for San Lorenzo.

It looks like a storm is coming.

The verb occur has one particular meaning that causes it to act as an impersonal noun: when something comes to mind.

It occurred to them too late that the whole thing was a scam.

Be careful not to confuse impersonal verbs with their noun forms. For example, the impersonal verb snow can also be used as a noun, in this case the mass noun snow. Although spelled the same, the verb snow functions very differently than the noun snow, so you’ll have to consider the context to tell the difference.  

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Why are they called weather verbs?

Impersonal verbs are often called “weather verbs” or “meteorological verbs” because, simply, we use them to talk about the weather. Most impersonal verbs are directly linked to weather, such as rain, storm, snow, and thunder.

Some weather verbs are not always impersonal and have other meanings unrelated to the weather. For example, pour can be used to talk about moving liquids, and in this case it is not impersonal and requires a standard subject.

The scientist poured the acid into a safe container.

However, when the meaning of pour is “to rain heavily,” pour becomes an impersonal verb.

It’s pouring outside, so I’m taking an umbrella.

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Example:

The researcher poured the acid in a safe box.

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Pour, however, becomes an impersonal verb when it means "to rain heavily."

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I'm bringing an umbrella because it's pouring outside.

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