Flying During Thunderstorms: What You Need to Know

Turbulence, lightning, and dark skies. Flying during a storm can feel like a scene from a movie.

But did you know that commercial aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, often getting hit several times a year without issue?

While air travel is statistically one of the safest ways to get around, bad weather tends to trigger unease for many passengers. Storms, in particular, raise questions about safety, delays, and what actually happens when a plane encounters lightning or turbulence.

In this article, we break down what you really need to know about flying through a storm. Understanding the facts can transform your next turbulent flight from terrifying to tolerable.

Is It Safe to Fly in a Thunderstorm?

It’s a question almost every nervous flyer has asked: Is it really safe to fly through a storm? The short answer is yes, and the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of safety.

Modern commercial aircraft are engineered to withstand lightning strikes and severe turbulence. In fact, planes are struck by lightning about once a year on average, and they’re built to handle it without damage. The aluminum shell of the aircraft acts as a Faraday cage, safely channeling the electrical charge around the fuselage and out through the tail, preventing harm to passengers or systems. [1]

Beyond the engineering, pilots are extensively trained to navigate stormy weather, including wind shear, turbulence, and reduced visibility. They’re supported by real-time weather radar systems, both onboard and from air traffic control, which help identify and avoid the most intense storm cells. Contrary to what you might think, pilots almost never fly through the core of a thunderstorm—they go around it, above it, or delay the flight if conditions are too risky.

Additionally, turbulence, while uncomfortable, is rarely dangerous. Aircraft structures are tested to handle far more stress than they typically encounter in flight.

So while stormy skies might shake your nerves, rest assured that aviation protocols, pilot training, and aircraft design work together to keep you safe at 30,000 feet—even when the weather isn’t ideal.

But if you really want to feel a spike in adrenaline, forget thunderstorms, try landing at an airport carved into a cliff or perched between mountain peaks. 

👉 Check out our list of the Top 5 Most Dangerous Airports in the World!

Can Planes Fly in Thunderstorms?

Technically, yes: commercial aircraft can fly through thunderstorms. But in practice, they almost never do. Airlines and pilots go to great lengths to avoid storm cells altogether, not because the aircraft can’t handle it, but because comfort and safety are top priorities.

When storm systems appear along a flight path, pilots use onboard weather radar and satellite data to identify areas of concern. With support from air traffic control, they adjust altitude or alter course to steer clear of the most intense parts of the storm. In fact, aviation regulations and standard procedures strongly discourage flying directly through thunderclouds, especially those associated with lightning, hail, or severe turbulence.

Still, if encountering stormy weather becomes unavoidable, flight crews are trained extensively to manage it. They rely on strategies such as adjusting speed, altitude, and heading to reduce the impact of turbulence. Pilots also communicate with nearby aircraft and meteorological services to gather the most up-to-date information in real time.

Thanks to these technologies and protocols, the chances of flying directly through a dangerous thunderstorm are extremely low—and when turbulence does occur, it's usually well-managed and brief.

Still feeling uneasy? You're not alone. Learn how to calm your nerves and enjoy the journey with our guide: How to Overcome the Fear of Flying: 8 Proven Methods.

Can a Flight Take Off in Thunderstorms?

Generally speaking, airlines avoid taking off during active thunderstorms, especially if lightning is nearby or wind shear is detected on the runway. While modern aircraft are built to handle adverse weather, airports follow strict safety protocols that prioritize risk avoidance over punctuality. That’s why flights may be delayed or temporarily grounded until conditions improve.

During severe weather events, airport operations teams work in tandem with meteorologists, using real-time radar and predictive modeling to track the storm's movement and intensity. Thunderstorms near the airport, particularly those with strong crosswinds, microbursts, or lightning strikes, are treated with extreme caution, as these factors can pose serious challenges during takeoff.

In exceptional cases, such as when lightning is actively striking in the vicinity of ground crews, aircraft boarding, refueling, and baggage loading are all temporarily suspended for crew safety. These operational pauses can lead to cascading delays, even if the aircraft itself could technically depart.

Airlines make go/no-go decisions in real-time, based on data from multiple sources and the judgment of both pilots and air traffic control. While it may be frustrating to wait, these delays are part of a carefully coordinated safety-first approach.

Curious about what you’re entitled to if your flight is delayed due to weather? Even in weather-related cases, some delays may qualify. Learn more about delayed flight compensation!

Can Planes Fly in Rain?

Rainy skies may look dramatic from the terminal window, but flying in rain is typically not a big deal for modern aircraft. Still, there are a few key facts and good-to-know insights that can help ease your mind:

1. Rain Alone Is Not a Major Threat. Light to moderate rain doesn’t pose significant risks to flight safety. Planes are built to handle it with ease, including during takeoff and landing.
2. Modern Aircraft Are Water-Tight and Weather-Tested. All commercial airplanes are rigorously tested for extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain, to ensure no water infiltrates engines or critical systems. Here is everything you need to know about the largest aircraft in the world. 
3. Advanced Radar Detects Trouble Before It Starts. Pilots rely on weather radar and real-time satellite data to identify heavy rainfall zones and divert flight paths if needed.
4. Runway Conditions Are Closely Monitored/ Airports have strict procedures for assessing runway traction during wet weather, and may delay takeoffs or landings if there’s a risk of hydroplaning.
5. It’s Often About What Comes With the Rain. While rain itself is manageable, accompanying factors like strong winds, lightning, or poor visibility can complicate operations and cause delays or rerouting.
6. Turbulence Is Usually Minimal in Rain Alone. Contrary to popular belief, rain doesn’t automatically mean turbulence. It's more about air currents and storm activity than the rain itself.
7. De-icing and Anti-Ice Systems Keep Things Safe. If cold rain or freezing conditions are present, aircraft are equipped with de-icing and anti-icing systems that keep wings and engines functioning properly.
8. You’ll Be Kept in the Loop. Airlines typically provide updates if weather might affect your flight. Stay alert to app notifications or airport announcements for changes in gate or timing.

Stormy skies and rainy runways might seem intimidating, but the reality is far less dramatic than it feels. Modern aircraft are built to withstand adverse weather, and flight crews are trained to handle it with precision and care. Whether it’s heavy rain, lightning in the distance, or a delay on the tarmac, every decision made is guided by one priority: your safety.

Understanding how aviation professionals manage these situations can take much of the mystery—and anxiety—out of flying during a storm. So next time you hear thunder before takeoff or see raindrops on the window mid-flight, remember: you're in good hands, flying with systems and people that know exactly what they're doing.

Sources

[1] US. “Lightning and Planes.” Weather.gov, 2025, www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-planes. Accessed 16 July 2025.