What is the origin of the idiom "the calm before the storm" and when to use it?

The expression "the calm before the storm" is a figurative idiom that is used to refer to a period of temporary peace and calm that typically precedes a new crisis, difficulty, or disastrous event. The origin of this phrase is not definitively known, but it likely stems from the observation of atmospheric conditions, particularly how sometimes, just before a big storm, everything seems quiet and peaceful. It compares this quiet time to moments of peace or quiet before tough times.