Storm vs. Tempest: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A storm is a disturbed state of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, snow, or other precipitation, while a tempest is a violent storm.
Key Differences
A storm encompasses a variety of atmospheric disturbances, including rain, snow, or thunderstorms, characterized by strong winds. A tempest, on the other hand, refers specifically to a storm of great intensity and violence, often with high winds and heavy rain.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storms can vary in intensity from mild showers to severe weather events. Tempests are at the higher end of this spectrum, always implying extreme conditions, often causing significant damage and disruption.
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Nov 19, 2023
The term "storm" is used more broadly in meteorology to describe any disturbed state of the atmosphere. "Tempest" is a more literary or dramatic term, frequently used to describe not just the weather, but also tumultuous or chaotic situations.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storms can be classified into different types, such as thunderstorms, snowstorms, or hurricanes, based on their nature and characteristics. A tempest, while not a technical meteorological term, is understood to mean a storm of extraordinary power, akin to a hurricane or a violent thunderstorm.
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Nov 19, 2023
In common usage, "storm" is the more frequently used term, applicable to a wide range of weather conditions. "Tempest," by contrast, is less commonly used in everyday language and often carries a more poetic or dramatic connotation.
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Nov 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Meteorology
Broad term for atmospheric disturbances
Not a specific technical term; implies extreme storm
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Types
Includes thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.
Implies a level of intensity similar to hurricanes
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Nov 19, 2023
Common Usage
Widely used in daily language
More poetic, dramatic, less common
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Nov 19, 2023
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Storm and Tempest Definitions
Storm
An occurrence of bad weather involving precipitation.
A snowstorm blanketed the city overnight.
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Nov 19, 2023
Tempest
A violent and windy storm.
The tempest uprooted trees and damaged homes.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storm
A weather event with thunder, lightning, or strong winds.
The thunderstorm caused power outages in several areas.
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Nov 19, 2023
Tempest
A storm of great intensity and power.
Sailors braced for the approaching tempest at sea.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storm
An atmospheric disturbance manifested in strong winds accompanied by rain, snow, or other precipitation and often by thunder and lightning.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Tempest
An exceptionally strong disturbance or upheaval.
The economic tempest left many businesses struggling.
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Storm
A wind with a speed from 48 to 55 knots (55 to 63 miles per hour; 89 to 102 kilometers per hour), according to the Beaufort scale. Also called whole gale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tempest
A violent windstorm, frequently accompanied by rain, snow, or hail.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tempest
Furious agitation, commotion, or tumult; an uproar
"The tempest in my mind / Doth from my senses take all feeling" (Shakespeare).
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A strong or violent outburst, as of emotion or excitement
A storm of tears.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent disturbance or upheaval, as in political, social, or domestic affairs
A storm of protest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
To blow with strong winds and usually produce copious rain, snow, or other precipitation
It stormed throughout the night.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
To behave or shout angrily; rant and rage
Stormed at his incompetence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
To move or rush tumultuously, violently, or angrily
Stormed up the embankment.
Stormed out of the room.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tempest
An extensive current of wind, rushing with great velocity and violence, and commonly attended with rain, hail, or snow; a furious storm.
[We] caught in a fiery tempest, shall be hurled,Each on his rock transfixed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tempest
Fig.: Any violent tumult or commotion; as, a political tempest; a tempest of war, or of the passions.
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Storm
To travel around (a place) vigorously in an attempt to gain support
The candidates stormed the country.
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Tempest
To disturb as by a tempest.
Part huge of bulkWallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait,Tempest the ocean.
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Storm
Any disturbed state of the atmosphere, especially as affecting the earth's surface, and strongly implying destructive or unpleasant weather.
The boat was torn to pieces in the storm, and nobody survived.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tempest
A violent commotion or disturbance;
The storms that had characterized their relationship had died away
It was only a tempest in a teapot
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; violent outbreak.
The proposed reforms have led to a political storm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tempest
A metaphor for a violent or chaotic situation.
The novel described a tempest of emotions.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storm
(meteorology) A very strong wind on the wind scale, stronger than a gale, less than a hurricane (10 or higher on the Beaufort scale).
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Tempest
A dramatic or poetic term for a severe storm.
The ancient mariners feared the wrath of ocean tempests.
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Storm
(impersonal) (weather it) To be violent, with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.
It stormed throughout the night.
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Storm
(intransitive) (metaphor) To rage or fume; to be in a violent temper.
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Storm
To move quickly and noisily like a storm, usually in a state of uproar or anger.
She stormed out of the room.
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Storm
(transitive) [army; crowd, rioters] To assault (a significant building) with the aim to gain power over it.
Troops stormed the complex.
The storming of the Bastille
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, whether accompanied with wind or not.
We hear this fearful tempest sing,Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult.
I will stir up in England some black storm.
Her sisterBegan to scold and raise up such a storm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the like.
Storms beat, and rolls the main;O! beat those storms, and roll the seas, in vain.
What at first was called a gust, the sameHath now a storm's, anon a tempest's name.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town.
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Storm
To blow with violence; also, to rain, hail, snow, or the like, usually in a violent manner, or with high wind; - used impersonally; as, it storms.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
To rage; to be in a violent passion; to fume.
The master storms, the lady scolds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightening
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A violent commotion or disturbance;
The storms that had characterized their relationship had died away
It was only a tempest in a teapot
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
Rain, hail, or snow hard and be very windy, often with thunder or lightning;
If it storms, we'll need shelter
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Oct 19, 2023
Storm
A disturbance in the atmosphere with strong winds.
The storm brought heavy rain and winds to the coast.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storm
A severe disturbance in any element of nature.
A dust storm reduced visibility on the roads.
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Nov 19, 2023
Storm
A tumultuous or turbulent situation.
The political storm divided the community.
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Nov 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is every storm a tempest?
No, only extremely violent storms are considered tempests.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can storms happen anywhere?
Yes, storms can occur in various forms worldwide.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is "tempest" a common term in weather forecasts?
No, it's more poetic and less used in technical weather terminology.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is a tempest more severe than a hurricane?
"Tempest" isn't a technical term, but it implies a storm of great intensity, similar to a hurricane.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can a tempest include snow?
Typically, a tempest refers to a violent storm with strong winds, usually rain.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are storms always dangerous?
They can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on intensity.
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Can storms affect air travel?
Yes, particularly severe storms can disrupt flights.
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Nov 19, 2023
Do storms have a season?
Some types, like hurricanes, have specific seasons.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is "tempest" used metaphorically?
Yes, it's often used to describe turbulent or chaotic situations.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are all storms named?
Only certain types, like hurricanes and typhoons, are named.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can tempests affect ecosystems?
Yes, they can have significant ecological impacts.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is thunderstorm a type of storm?
Yes, it's a storm characterized by thunder and lightning.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is the term "tempest" used in literature?
Yes, it's often used for dramatic effect in literature.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are storm warnings important?
Yes, they help people prepare for potential danger.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is a tempest a natural disaster?
It can be considered one if it causes significant damage and disruption.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are tempests always associated with damage?
Often, due to their violent nature, they can cause significant damage.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can tempests occur at sea?
Yes, tempests are especially known for their impact on marine navigation.
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Nov 19, 2023
Does a tempest always have thunder and lightning?
Not necessarily, but they often feature strong winds and heavy rain.
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Nov 19, 2023
Do storms vary in duration?
Yes, from brief thunderstorms to prolonged weather events.
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Nov 19, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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