In the story "Thunderstruck" by Erik Larson, the nighttime storms frequently arrive, with lightning illuminating the landscape in a ghostly light. The storms create an eerie atmosphere, reminiscent of death, as the terrain is shrouded in dark and ominous weather. Fog blankets the area for extended periods, transforming the cliff's edge into a boundary that seems to separate the known world from the unknown.

The men hear the haunting sounds of foghorns from steamships anchored just offshore, indicating their struggle to navigate through the thick mist. This persistent sense of disorientation and unease highlights the interplay between nature's fury and the vulnerability of human endeavors at sea, setting a dramatic tone for the narrative.