“It is He who shows you the lightning, as a

fear (for travelers) and as a hope (for those

who wait for rain). And it is He Who brings
up (or originates) the clouds, heavy (with
water).”
(Al-Quran 13:12)
THUNDERSTORM AND RAIN AND
IT’S PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

Prepared by
Capt.Mahmudul Hassan
 AIM

To refresh our memory, create awareness and

take precautionary measures .

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 SEQUENCE

 What is Thunderstorm
 Requirements of Thunderstorm
 Stages of Thunderstorm
 Aviation hazard of Thunderstorm
 Safety measures
 Conclusion

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 THUNDERSTORM

Thunderstorm is a violent short lived weather

disturbance that is almost always associated with
lighting, thunder, dense cloud, heavy rain or hail and
strong gusty winds.

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 REQUIREMENTS OF THUNDERSTORM

• Instability ( unstable air )

• Moisture
• Initial lifting action

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STAGES OF THUNDERSTORM

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CUMULUS STAGE
MATURE STAGE
DISSIPATING STAGE
OBSERVATIONS BEFORE IMMINENT TS

 High temperature
 Gradual reduction of wind speed
 Change of wind direction to NW’ly
 Rapid Cb (cumulonimbus) clouds build
up with dark base
 Cold wind comes from NW direction
 Discomfort feeling with high rate of
sweating
 Lightning observed during night time

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WX ASSOCIATED WITH THUNDERSTORM

Lightning Hail

Heavy Rain Icing

Turbulence Squall

Vertical and Horizontal Wind Shear

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AVIATION HAZARDS OF THUNDERSTORM

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LIGHTNING

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 LIGHTNING

• An aircraft parked on
tarmac might be
affected.

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TURBULENCE
 HAIL
 Small hailstones cause only minor damage but large one
may make holes on the body of aircraft also may damage
windshield of the aircraft
 The greater the speed of an aircraft, greater the damage is.

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 GUST / SQUALL

 May cause loss of control of the aircraft.

 Gust may restrict the take off and landing.
 It may produce dust storm which causes poor vis.

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 HEAVY RAIN / SHOWER

Reduces visibility in-flight or on ground

Water Logging on Airfield or Wet Runway Surface

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HEAVY RAIN / SHOWER

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 SAFETY MEASURES

 Remember that frequent lightning indicates a

severe TS.
 Increasing frequency of lightning indicates a growing TS.
 Small CU may turn into a giant CB within a short time.

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 SAFETY MEASURES

Avoidance of TS is the best safety measure;

 Check radar for precipitation, review all available

weather information, examine pilots report and ATC
instructions.

 While en-route, constantly update previous

weather report.

 Remember that radar detects only water droplets,

not the cloud itself.

 Circumnavigate TS area, by 25 miles or more,

whenever situation permits.
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 SAFETY MEASURES
If situation dictates that TS penetration is
unavoidable;
 Tighten the safety belt including shoulder harness.
 Turn on all cockpit lights with full brightness. Put
on dark sun glass, alternatively, one pilot could keep
looking downwards.
 Establish a penetration altitude much above or
below the Freezing Level. Because severe icing
occurs between 0°C to – 10°C level.
 Maintain constant altitude with IAS VRA. Don’t
chase speed & altitude, rather maintain constant
pitch attitude & power setting, as far as possible.
 Never try to turn back if already entered a TS.
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 SAFETY MEASURES

Following issues to remember,

 Don’t take-off or land in the face of an

approaching TS. If have to, consider microburst.

 Don’t attempt to fly below thunderstorm.

 Don’t fly without serviceable weather radar if

imminent TS is suspected.

 Use deicing & anti icing system before entering

and during penetration.

 Maneuvering in trying to maintain constant altitude

increase stresses on the aircraft.
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 CONCLUSION

• We can not stop the occurrence of hazard, but

effective steps may be taken to minimize the damage.

• A thorough knowledge of the hazard and the proper

safety rules can minimize the losses.

• We may sometime fail to predict the nature but we

should never fail to put in our best.
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