gathering storm
- brewingBeverage preparation process
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- darkeningGrowing less bright
- cloudsAirborne water masses
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
thunder · lightning · horizon · looming · threatening · wind · approaching · turbulence · foreboding · squall · menace · billowing · rumbling · pressure · building · tension · impending · deluge
atmospheric/weather conditions
gathering stormclear skies
Absence of cloud cover
clearing skies · fair weather · blue skies · passing storm · sunshine
situational trajectory
gathering stormde-escalation
Reducing conflict intensity
silver lining · light at the end of the tunnel · thaw · détente · rapprochement