From Latin 'tempestas' (season/weather), itself from 'tempus' (time)—a storm was simply 'the weather of the moment.'
A violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail, or snow.
From Old French 'tempeste,' from Latin 'tempestas' meaning 'season, weather, storm,' from 'tempus' (time). The Latin word evolved from 'a stretch of time' to 'weather of a time' to specifically 'bad weather.' Key roots: tempus (Latin: "time, season").