What are the primary hazards of thunderstorms and how should you plan to avoid them?

• A. Severe turbulence, hail, wind shear, icing, and lightning; plan to route around and maintain distance, often with ATC guidance.
• B. Only turbulence; thunderstorms are not hazardous.
• C. Thunderstorms are safe if you fly beneath them.
• D. You should fly through the center of the storm to minimize time.

Answer: (A)

Thunderstorms pose multiple hazards to aircraft, and understanding them helps you plan a safe flight. The primary threats are severe turbulence and wind shear, which can occur both in and around the storm and can exceed what the aircraft is comfortable handling. Hail is another major danger, capable of damaging the airframe, propellers, and windshields. Icing can develop from supercooled droplets inside the storm, degrading lift and engine performance. Lightning is possible and can affect electrical systems and avionics. In addition, heavy rain inside a storm reduces visibility and can conceal dangerous wind changes and updrafts.

Because these hazards can appear quickly and vary with position inside and around the cell, the safest approach is to avoid the storm altogether and maintain a clear distance, often with ATC guidance to re-route. This means checking weather information before flight, using radar and weather products to identify and stand clear of the cells, and planning detours that keep you well outside the storm core and the most violent zones. If you must be near storm activity, give yourself generous clearance, follow ATC instructions, and avoid flying through the center or underneath the strongest parts of the storm.