We sat there in silence since the hot stale air made it hard to breathe let alone speak

What impact does the words stale and hot have on the tone of the sentence

The words "stale" and "hot" contribute to a tone of discomfort and suffocation in the sentence. The presence of hot, stale air creates a sense of oppression and discomfort, making it difficult for the individuals to even speak. This conveys a feeling of unease or tension in the situation.