Analyzing Word Choice in Context

In the following passage, the author describes a significant event with careful word choice to enhance the narrative:

"As the sun set, casting a golden glow across the valley, the villagers gathered in somber anticipation. The air was thick with unspoken fears, each breath felt like a weight pulling them deeper into uncertainty. With each tick of the clock, time seemed suspended, stretching moments into eternities, as they awaited news that could change their lives forever."

In this passage, consider the author's choice of the word "somber" in the context of the villagers' gathering. What is the most likely effect of this word choice on the reader's interpretation of the scene?