Why pilots avoid flying into clouds: ‘They are not just water vapour’

He listed down the reasons.

Poor visibility

Inside many clouds, it’s like flying in thick fog. “Pilots can’t see anything – not the ground, other aircraft, or even the horizon. They have to rely only on instruments, which makes flying much more difficult,” said Rao.

Turbulence

Some clouds – especially big ones like thunderclouds (called cumulonimbus) – have strong winds and air currents moving in different directions. “This causes turbulence, which can shake the aircraft badly, making the flight uncomfortable or even dangerous,” said Rao.

Let’s find out from an expert (Photo: Freepik)

Lightning and storms

Thunderstorm clouds can produce lightning, hail, and heavy rain. Lightning can damage the aircraft’s electrical systems, and hail can dent or crack the windshield or wings.

Icing

Roa noted that in cold clouds, water droplets can freeze on the aircraft, especially on wings and engines. “This ice adds weight and disrupts airflow, which can affect lift and control. That’s very dangerous,” he told indianexpress.com.

Wind shear

Some clouds hide a sudden change in wind speed or direction (called wind shear). “This can suddenly lift or drop the plane, especially during takeoff or landing – the most critical phases of flight,” said Rao.