ADJ.
dire, ominous
VERB + PORTENT
howl, sense
PORTENT + NOUN
things
noun
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
It was a portent of things to come.
A portending; significance
a howl of dire portent
Something regarded as portentous; a marvel; prodigy.
noun — a sign of something about to happen
Somehow the silent snow, the waning traffic, the oncoming twilight, combined into a sense of ominous portent.