What can pilots experience due to electrical activity in thunderstorms?

Pilots can experience temporary blindness due to the intense electrical activity associated with thunderstorms, particularly from lightning strikes. When lightning illuminates the cockpit or the surrounding environment, the sudden flash can overwhelm a pilot’s vision. This effect can last only for a few moments but may be disorienting and can hinder a pilot’s ability to see instruments and out the window, creating a potentially hazardous situation.

Thunderstorms bring unpredictable gusts, turbulence, and wind changes, which would not enhance aircraft performance or provide stable flight conditions. Additionally, visibility typically decreases in such weather due to heavy precipitation, darkness, and cloud cover, contradicting the notion of improved visibility. Hence, the experience of temporary blindness is a critical concern for pilots flying near or in thunderstorm activity, highlighting the need to avoid such conditions whenever possible.