Translating "How's the weather over there in January?"?

Question

I am listening to Italian Language tapes that do not have any written material to go with them. As I have made progress, (I am on lesson 45) I am getting a little confused. I believe that there must be some ways of expressing things that are idIomatic - and I am wondering if the following question is because the tape is being idiomatic? The tape is prompting me(in English) to say**But, how’s the weather over there in January?**My answer was;**Ma, come è il tempo lì a gennaio?**The tape's answer is;**Ma, fa tempo li en gennaio?**Is the tape's answer right? It is so different than what I was expecting, that I am just not sure. Also, I just used "there~lì" in my answer, since they have not mentioned the word 'over' at all.Is the answer they want me to learn more correct or more in common use than the answer I thought it was going to be? Is my answer correct?

Answer 1

Your answer com'e' il tempo li' a Gennaio? Is correct

You can also say; che tempo fa li' a Gennaio

But never come fa il tempo li' a Gennaio?

Hope this helps