Which of the following weather conditions can impact flight safety the most?

Thunderstorms and severe turbulence can significantly impact flight safety due to the inherent dangers they present. Thunderstorms are associated with numerous hazardous weather phenomena including lightning strikes, hail, severe wind shear, and microbursts. Each of these elements poses risks to both aircraft performance and pilot control. For instance, lightning can cause electrical malfunctions and hail can damage aircraft structure and engines. The turbulence associated with thunderstorms can lead to severe in-flight conditions that may challenge the pilot’s ability to maintain control.

In addition, the potential for rapidly changing weather conditions within and surrounding a thunderstorm can create difficulties for pilots in navigation and safety. The combination of all these factors makes thunderstorms and severe turbulence one of the most critical weather conditions for flight safety.