The storm is a metaphor and is what makes this film so beautiful!

There is no doubt in my mind that the storm is all metaphor.

In the opening shot, we see Curtis standing alone, facing the storm. The storm represents his coming Schizophrenia. Curtis has been scarred by how this affected his own childhood and has determined he is going to "weather the storm" on his own without ever telling his wife and daughter. All the decisions he makes throughout the film he makes alone, and all of them set his family back financially and/or emotionally. It isn't until he finally sees that his wife is there for him, the she loves him and wants to help him, that he finally decides to get the real help he needed all along. This is why in the final storm, now he is not facing it alone, but his wife and daughter see it too. The storm is going to come, and it's going to be strong.. but they are going to face it as a unified family.. .and THAT is the point of this excellent movie.

There, see? Not confusing at all…


Side note - During several of the visions there are other people attacking him - these represent the townspeople looking down on him in judgment when they learn of his insanity, and also the other insane patients he expects he will be locked up with (note the hospital garments they are wearing)