Can airplanes trigger rain?

Asked by: Janet Dunn

Planes flying through clouds can increase rain or snowfall by as much as a factor of ten, scientists in Finland have discovered. This intensification of precipitation is not caused by emissions, say the researchers, but by ice crystals created as the aircraft’s wings pass though cloud layers above active rain or snow.

Can planes cause rain?

Study explains curious hole-punch pattern in clouds near airports. Fly the friendly skies—and make it rain. That’s what researchers have found airplanes tend to do when they take off or descend through clouds of the altocumulus variety.

Do Flights delay for rain?

Flights can be delayed due to rain. Cancellation or delay of a flight depends upon several factors, including whether the aircraft can fly in such weather or not. But there are times that planes fly regardless of rain.

Is it safe to fly during rain?

The wings and engines of today’s aircraft work together to produce “lift,” which moves the plane upward off the ground by changing the direction and pressure of the air. In general, rain does not impede this process—in the majority of cases, the answer to whether planes can fly in the rain in a resounding “yes.”

Can flights land in heavy rain?

Low Visibility Caused by Heavy Rain



Therefore, moderately reduced visibility due to heavy rain isn’t a problem. However, to land the aircraft manually, the pilots require a horizontal visibility of 550m. If the rain is extremely heavy, visibility may reduce to below this level.

Do planes affect clouds?

Aircraft are a major contributor to CO2 emissions, but it’s not just their pollution that can affect the weather and climate – they’ve been known to mess with the clouds as they pass through or over them.

Is it safe to fly during a thunderstorm?

Well, the simple answer is yes, they do. In fact, statistics show that thunderstorms have very little impact on flight schedules and are not likely to cause too many issues like delays or flight cancellations.

Can planes fly in bad weather?

Jet aircraft can safely fly over thunderstorms only if their flight altitude is well above the turbulent cloud tops. The most intense and turbulent storms are often the tallest storms, so en route flights always seek to go around them.

Can planes fly over thunderstorms?

If you’re wondering if planes can fly in thunderstorms, the answer is yes. Planes can fly in thunderstorms, though will likely be prevented from taking-off and landing during a thunderstorm due to the danger involved.

What happens to flight when its raining?

Rain doesn’t usually affect a flight much. Combining with hefty winds causes extra challenges to flight planning. The combo can even cause a change of route or a delay if the conditions are extreme. But generally speaking, airplanes are well-equipped to deal with a bit of the wet stuff!

What winds will planes not fly in?

A crosswind above about 40mph and tailwind above 10mph can start to cause problems and stop commercial jets taking off and landing. It can sometimes be too windy to take-off or land.

What is the fear of flight called?

Aerophobia is a fear of flying. It’s very common, affecting more than 25 million adults in the U.S. Psychotherapy can usually help people overcome their fear and fly without extreme anxiety or panic attacks.

Do pilots try to avoid clouds?

Airline pilots will normally take action to avoid any cumulonimbus clouds, but particularly those bearing mammatus formations, as these indicate especially severe turbulence within the cumulonimbus.

Can turbulence bring down a plane?

Turbulence is a rapid change in the speed or pressure of a fluid. It can cause planes to drop in altitude and make a lot of noise. It’s rare for turbulence to be powerful enough to actually crash a plane, but it can cause injuries.

Can pilots see in clouds?

A pilot has no clearer vision through a cloud than you looking out the window at the same time. However, the flight can proceed in safety with a combination of instruments and the facilities available to an air traffic controller.

Is it safe to fly during a thunderstorm?

Well, the simple answer is yes, they do. In fact, statistics show that thunderstorms have very little impact on flight schedules and are not likely to cause too many issues like delays or flight cancellations.

Can a plane land in a thunderstorm?

Planes can and will land in thunderstorms, though this is by no means the norm and will depend on the severity of the storm. The biggest issues a pilot will experience when trying to land a plane are microbursts and wind shear.

Can planes fly during thunderstorms?

All planes are designed to fly through storms and have to comply with safety regulations. A rainstorm is unlikely to cause damage to the aircraft. The only danger of flying through a rainstorm is the risk of freezing rain, but in this case, your plane will most likely be delayed until the storm passes.

What is the fear of flight called?

Aerophobia is a fear of flying. It’s very common, affecting more than 25 million adults in the U.S. Psychotherapy can usually help people overcome their fear and fly without extreme anxiety or panic attacks.

What is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia is the fear of long words. This 35-letter, 15-syllable word contains the root sesquipedalian, which means “long word.” Therefore, it is sometimes called sesquipedalophobia.

Is flying safer than driving?

In absolute numbers, driving is more dangerous, with more than 5 million accidents compared to 20 accidents in flying. A more direct comparison per 100 million miles pits driving’s 1.27 fatalities and 80 injuries against flying’s lack of deaths and almost no injuries, which again shows air travel to be safer.