This is a good topic! And the significance in many cases stretches beyond symbolism.
For instancein the battle of Pelannor fields, the gloom of Sauron wasnt just weather:It was a weapon, used to destroy the morale of his foes. The wind and rain from the south is not only symbolic of washing away the filth of Mordor, it also physically speeds Aragorn on his way with the fleet.
Such cases are myriad: Tolkien not only uses a bit of good imagery, he developes the story plot and unfolds a parable about good versus evil.
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There long the golden leaves have grown, upon the branching years, while here beyond the sundering seas, now fall the Elven-tears...
but if of ships I now would sing, what ship would come to me, what ship would bear me ever back, across so wide a sea?
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