How does the storm act as a reflection of real life in Kate Chopin's "The Storm"?

In Kate Chopin's story, the literal storm of turbulent weather parallels the figurative storm of human emotion.

Interestingly, both storms have been brewing for a time. In a previous story with which "The Storm" is paired--"At the 'Cadian Ball"--passions have been stirred to stormy levels between the Acadian beauty, Calixta, and the wealthy, upper-class Creole, Alceé. However, before anything happens between the two, the equally lovely Clarisse, who is of Alceé's social class, tells him she loves him. So, Alceé soon marries her. With no chance of having Alceé, Calixta settles for one of her own social level, an Acadian named Bobinot.

After a while, Alceé's love for his wife has cooled. Then, in the sequel story, "The Storm," while Bobinot and the son Bibi are out with a cyclone approaching, Alceé is in the area of Calixta's house and the weather threatens his safe return home. When she steps outside, Alceé Laballiere rides his horse in under an overhanging protection and asks if he may wait out the storm.

May I come and wait on your gallery till the storm is over, Calixta? he asked.
"Come 'long in, M'sieur Alceé."

Calixta has not seen Alceé much since her marriage, and then never alone. Perhaps, if the storm were not present, forcing Bobinot and Bibi to delay their return, and if the lightning bolt were not to flash and send a blinding glare and terrible crash, frightening Calixta into Alceé's arms, nothing may have happened. But, the clash of nature's elements has charged the air and this electricity penetrates the hearts of the two who once loved each other. Thus, a storm of nature begets a natural storm of emotion, and Calixta and Alceé make love with great passion.

The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep. But they dare not yield.

Returning to their responsibilities after the storm, Alceé rides away, and Calixta prepares supper when Bobinot and Bibi return. Jubilantly, she greets her family, both storms forgotten. 

That same night Alceé Laballiere writes to his wife, encouraging her to stay longer in Biloxi if she and the children are enjoying themselves. For, he writes that he is faring well and is willing to endure the separation for their happiness. Madame Laballiere is glad to receive his note because she has missed the "pleasant liberty of her maiden days," and is in no hurry to resume their conjugal life.

Much like a storm, human emotions rage and, just as quickly sometimes, they abate. The storm of passion between Calixta and Alceé, like a huge thunderstorm or cyclone, has been brewing for some time. Finally, it, too, rages, but its passion abates afterwards.