The answer is generally yes, but not always. Most of the time, commercial airplanes fly above rain clouds, but sometimes storm clouds can reach altitudes higher than planes typically fly.
Airplane Altitude vs. Cloud Height
Here's a breakdown of typical altitudes:
- Commercial Airplane Cruising Altitude: Around 35,000 feet or higher.
- Typical Storm Cloud Height: Usually below 35,000 feet.
- Maximum Storm Cloud Height: Some storm clouds can reach up to 60,000 feet or even higher.
When Planes Fly Above the Clouds
Most of the time, planes fly well above the clouds. This provides a smoother flight and avoids turbulence associated with weather systems. As the provided reference states, "Most commercial airplanes cruise at around 35000 feet or higher, which is above the typical height of storm clouds."
When Planes Fly Below the Clouds
Planes may fly below certain cloud layers during takeoff and landing or when encountering unusually high storm clouds. Pilots are trained to navigate around severe weather to ensure passenger safety. They can also request to change their flight path or altitude to avoid turbulence.
Extreme Weather Considerations
In extreme weather scenarios, particularly with thunderstorms, some storm clouds can grow to exceptional heights. The reference notes that "some storm clouds can reach up to 60000 feet or more, which is well above the cruising altitude of most planes." In these cases, pilots will attempt to fly around the storms to avoid dangerous conditions like hail, lightning, and severe turbulence.
| Altitude | Typical Occurrence |
|---|---|
| 35,000+ feet | Most commercial flights (above typical storm clouds) |
| Up to 60,000+ feet | Extreme storm clouds |
| Below storm cloud altitude | Takeoff, landing, avoiding high storms |
