What is the importance of storms in the novel, The Voyage Out?

In this novel, Woolf uses storms to symbolize transformative tumult. Through her placement of storms, she effectively dramatizes emotional turmoil taking place in individual characters.

The first storm occurs while the Euphrosyne is at sea. All of the passengers, previously composed and sparring intellectually on decks and over dinner tables, are reduced to cowering in their rooms. The dazzling Mrs. Dalloway gets violently ill, as does her husband, Richard, the towering figure of English politics. After the storm is over, but still in the wake of its tumult, Richard Dalloway kisses Rachel, introducing her to an entirely new range of emotions (and confusions).

At the end of the novel, after Rachel dies, the hotel in Santa Marina is rocked by an intense storm, causing all of the guests to crowd together in a central room to watch in awe and helpless fear. The storm passes quickly and in the wake of this catharsis, the guests go about their evening knitting, chatting, and playing chess. This parallels the intense emotional and physical crisis of Rachel's illness, which has just ended early that morning with her death. Hirst walks in, worn out and having been caught in the rain, and finally rests, having done his duty as a friend to Rachel. Following this crisis, he feels simple, guiltless relief and watches as life continues around him, post-storm.