Something naturally occurring, that in large quantities, can be absolutely deadly.
Snow is something that slowly builds up over the course of the film, visually turning the hotel into a ranch-style home and completely erasing the sense of place within the mountains.
It can stand for purity, and definitely speak to “sweeping things under the rug”.
As a metaphor within the film, it comes to represent the pressure of Jack’s alcoholism (and hatred for his family) as it compounds to an untenable situation.
Repeated as a metaphor is the danger of the storm as a connection to the dangers Wendy and Danny face, and the final shot with the sheets on the couches.
In this image · No.29
The Predicted Snowstorm
The impending snowstorm becomes a metaphor for the stressors already building around the family. Its placement among stories of violence connects the weather forecast with Jack’s behavior. It recalls the cabin fever discussed in No.5, but Jack’s abusive argument with Wendy in No.31 occurs before the storm forces the family inside.