What should be done if thunderstorm activity is forecast along the flight route?

If thunderstorm activity is forecast along the flight route, ensuring that thunderstorm detection equipment is operational is crucial for maintaining safety and making informed decisions during the flight. Thunderstorms can present severe hazards, including turbulence, lightning, and visibility issues, which can impact flight safety significantly.

Operational thunderstorm detection equipment allows pilots and flight crews to gather real-time data about storm activity. This information is vital for identifying the location, intensity, and movement of thunderstorms, enabling the flight crew to make appropriate changes to their flight path or altitude to avoid dangerous conditions. Having reliable detection equipment enhances situational awareness, allowing for proactive measures instead of reactive ones during the flight.

Monitoring the situation alone without the operational capability of storm detection equipment may not provide enough information to ensure safety, and ignoring thunderstorm activity—particularly after departure—could lead to encounters with hazardous weather conditions that could compromise flight safety. Altering the flight plan in response to potential thunderstorm activity is a standard practice, emphasizing the importance of using available technology to maintain safety.