Why pilots avoid storms

In brief

• Storms can pose a danger to planes, so pilots do everything they can to avoid flying through or near them
• Pilots get access to detailed forecasts before a flight and receive real-time information through PIREPs
• Flight plans are prepared in advanced to avoid major storm activity
• Even if your plane is struck by lightning, it’s completely safe!

Storms can be dangerous to planes, passengers… and pilots

Pilots avoid thunderstorms because they are powerful phenomena that could be dangerous to planes. Storm clouds can contain turbulence, hail and lightning. They can also contain strong winds that can rapidly change direction.

While storms may look dramatic they are expected, tracked, and avoided by experienced pilots every day. Before every flight, the route of the plane (the flight plan) is adjusted to avoid storms as much as possible. 

We know many people who are afraid to fly worry about storms, but we’ll show you why storm avoidance is part of everyday airline safety. You’ll learn about the established storm warning system that provides pilots and flight planners information they need to keep your flight safe and smooth.

Understanding thunderstorms

Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises quickly into cooler air above, creating huge cumulonimbus clouds that can extend over 30,000 feet. 

Did you know a single bolt of lightning contains a mind-boggling one billion joules of energy? That’s enough to power your home for around 9 days. 

Inside these clouds, air currents move violently up and down, creating powerful updrafts and downdrafts.

These vertical air movements are a key cause of turbulence, and that turbulence can be strong.

As well as strong air movements, heavy rain, hail, icing conditions and electrical activity are all weather conditions around thunderstorms. 

You can see the storm activity across the world with this fascinating map.

Thunderstorms can be dangerous to planes which is why pilots will do everything they can to avoid them. They’re supported by a huge amount of technology, including radar, air traffic control, and real time-pilot reports (PIREPs).

The science of avoiding storms

Before every flight, pilots and flight planners review detailed meteorological reports and radar images to understand where storms might form along their route. 

Pilots and traffic controllers will plan flight paths that avoid storm systems. They’ll often add a margin for flexibility in case conditions change.

After takeoff, pilots have access to a large amount of information to help them. Modern aircraft are fitted with sophisticated weather radar systems that detect rainfall intensity and turbulence ahead. 

On the ground, air traffic control teams and meteorological services provide continuous updates, tracking developing weather patterns and sharing information across aircraft in the same airspace. They’ll have a deep knowledge of potential problems, with potentially turbulent routes well known.

Pilots can avoid storms by flying around them, or they might climb above a developing cell or descend slightly to pass below the worst of the weather. These changes are made calmly, well in advance, and often without passengers noticing anything at all.

How far away from thunderstorms fo planes fly?

Thunderstorms pose a risk of severe turbulence, hail damage, lightning strikes, and sudden wind changes that can be dangerous. Even several miles from the centre, you can find unstable air and strong gusts. 

Pilots will always maintain generous distances (20 miles or more) from large storm systems. This ensures that the aircraft flies through calm, predictable air.

What happens if a plane flies near a storm

Even with the advanced forecasting technologies, sometimes a plane will pass near the edges of thunderstorms. When that happens, passengers might experience turbulence.

Pilots are trained to handle turbulence and will act if they feel the need to. They may seek a smoother altitude or adjust course. In some cases, this may not be possible and the plane might experience some bumps as you pass through turbulent area.

In most cases, storm turbulence won’t last very long and you’ll soon be through it and flying calmly and smoothly again.

What if lightning strikes a plane?

Seeing lightning outside your window can be a little scary for even the most experienced flyers, but it’s rarely dangerous. Aircraft are struck by lightning on average once every 1,000 flight hours, but it’s not a safety issue.

The outer skin of the aircraft acts as a conductor, allowing the electrical charge to pass harmlessly along its surface before exiting through the tail or wingtips. (It’s called a Faraday cage and provides protection for passengers and pilots.)

All commercial aircraft are designed and tested to withstand lightning strikes without damage to essential systems. 

What’s it like being in a plane hit by lightning? There’s usually a brief flash of light and, occasionally, a faint sound. In some cases, you may not notice anything at all.

Passenger safety always comes first

Avoiding storms is a daily part of the job for pilots. They have access to the best forecasting technology, real-time information from other pilots and thousands of hours of experience to help them.

While storms may look dramatic and the can be dangerous, your pilot will do everything possible to avoid the.

If you’re worried about storms, turbulence, take off or landing, visit the Help Desk and download the Calm Flight Toolkit.

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