Comin’ a Storm
In Southern and Appalachian speech, coming a storm means a storm is starting to build or about to hit. The past form is often "it come a storm," following an older regional pattern where "come" serves as a past-tense verb in weather expressions.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most people that grew up around here will say, 'comin’ a storm' - including me. It's a common one. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most people that grew up around here will say, 'comin’ a storm' - including me. It's a common one. Pronunciation
[KUM-in-uh STORM]
/ˈkʌm.ɪn.ə stɔːrm/
/ˈkʌm.ɪn.ə stɔːrm/
Meaning & Usage
- Storm is forming / about to begin (present)
Mae:
You best get them towels off the line - it’s comin’ a storm.
You best get them towels off the line - it’s comin’ a storm.
Earl:
Reckon we’ve got five minutes, if that.
Reckon we’ve got five minutes, if that.- A storm has already happened (past)
Ruby:
Y’all hear that wind?
Y’all hear that wind?
Estel:
Sure did - it come a storm ‘bout midnight.
Sure did - it come a storm ‘bout midnight.variations: comin’ a storm, came a storm, come a storm, about to come a storm
★ The past form "it come a storm" is traditional Appalachian grammar. You’ll hear it with other weather, too - "it come a flood," "it come a hard rain," "it come a freeze." ★
Origin and Etymology
The pattern comes from older Scots-Irish and rural English speech brought into Appalachia during the 1700s. In this system, "come" often works as a past-tense verb in certain expressions, especially weather or motion ("he come by," "it come a cloud"). Appalachian English preserved this structure long after it faded from mainstream English, making "it come a storm" a hallmark of the regional grammar.
Usage Notes
Still widely heard across Appalachia and parts of the rural South, especially among older speakers.
- "It’s comin’ a storm." → A storm is forming.
- "It come a storm last night." → A storm blew in earlier.
- "Looks like it’s about to come a storm." → Visual cue from the sky.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 19). Coming a Storm. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/coming-a-storm
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Coming a Storm." HillbillySlang.com, 19 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/coming-a-storm.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Coming a Storm." HillbillySlang.com. November 19, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/coming-a-storm.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...