In what respects does the storm cause the events of the story? List specific events that occur because of the storm. Is the presence of the storm essential to the story?

It would seem that Alcée ran into the shop to escape the storm. That seems rather convenient that he had not seen Calixta in years but happened by just at the time of the storm of the century. Still, the storm serves his purposes. The atmosphere of the storm is essential for Alcée to turn merely taking shelter into wild passionate sex.

The weathered the most obvious element of the story? What other aspect of setting are important to the story?