tempest

1 a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) <the sudden summertime tempest drove us off the golf course and into the clubhouse> Synonyms squall, stormRelated Words blizzard, ice storm, snowstorm; cloudburst, hailstorm, rainsquall, rainstorm, thundershower, thunderstorm, weather, windstorm; northeaster (or nor'easter), norther, southeaster, southwester; cyclone, hurricane, typhoon; sandstorm

2 a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) <the town council handled the tempest over cuts to the school budget as well as could be expected> Synonyms bouleversement, cataclysm, earthquake, paroxysm, storm, convulsion, tumult, upheaval, uproarRelated Words insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, overthrow, overturn, rebellion, revolt, revolution, subversion, unrest, uprising, upset; fit, seizure, spasm; eruption, flare-up, outbreak, outburst; bluster, bobbery, bustle, coil, commotion, furor, furore, fuss, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, pandemonium, rout, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, to-do, turmoil, welter, williwaw; quaking, rocking, shaking, trembling