Pick the most effective word from the given options to fill in the blank so that the sentence becomes meaningful and correct: According to the weather _______ it is going to be cloudy today.

Introduction / Context:
Fill in the blank questions in English test whether you can select the most appropriate word so that the sentence sounds natural and precise. Here, the sentence refers to information from a weather related source, saying that it is going to be cloudy today. You must decide which noun best collocates with weather to describe this information correctly.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence: According to the weather _______ it is going to be cloudy today. - Options: Announcement, Indication, Prediction, Forecast. - The correct option should form a standard phrase with weather.

Concept / Approach:
In everyday English, the most common phrase used for information about future weather conditions is weather forecast. A forecast is an official or scientific statement about what is likely to happen in the future, particularly about the weather. While indication and prediction also relate to future possibilities, they do not form as strong and fixed a collocation with weather. Announcement is even less suitable, as it simply refers to something that is declared or made known, without capturing the technical sense of meteorological prediction.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the sentence structure According to the weather blank suggests a standard term usually heard in news or reports. Step 2: Evaluate option A, Announcement. Although announcements can be about weather, the direct phrase weather announcement is not the standard expression for predictions. Step 3: Evaluate option B, Indication. Weather indication is not a commonly used fixed phrase in standard English. Step 4: Evaluate option C, Prediction. Weather prediction is meaningful, but the more widely used collocation in media and exams is weather forecast. Step 5: Evaluate option D, Forecast. The phrase weather forecast is standard and immediately recognisable as the official prediction of future weather conditions.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider how the sentence sounds with each option: According to the weather announcement, according to the weather indication, according to the weather prediction, and according to the weather forecast. The last choice is the one that sounds most natural and is most frequently used in newspapers, television bulletins, and everyday conversation. This check confirms that forecast is the best fit among the available answers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Announcement is wrong because it emphasises the act of declaring information rather than the process of predicting weather conditions. Indication is wrong because it is too general a word and does not form a strong fixed phrase with weather. Prediction is not the best choice because although it is meaningful, weather forecast is the far more established term in standard usage.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates rely only on meaning and choose prediction because it sounds close to the idea of forecasting. However, exams often test your knowledge of natural collocations. Learning common combinations like weather forecast, weather report, weather warning, and traffic forecast will help you choose the most idiomatic answer quickly. Regular listening to news bulletins and reading weather reports in English can strengthen your sense of such collocations.

Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is Forecast, giving According to the weather forecast it is going to be cloudy today.