What types of hazardous phenomena might thunderstorms contain that can affect aircraft?

Thunderstorms are complex weather phenomena that can pose significant risks to aircraft during both takeoff and landing, as well as while in flight. The correct choice emphasizes the severe implications of thunderstorms, which include severe to extreme turbulence, hail, and low ceilings.

Severe to extreme turbulence is a primary concern because thunderstorms can generate strong updrafts and downdrafts, leading to unpredictable and violent movements of air. This turbulence can be hazardous to aircraft in flight, particularly during the approach and landing phases.

Hail is another serious threat associated with thunderstorms. Hail can form within a thunderstorm's intense updrafts and represents a significant risk to aircraft integrity, potentially causing structural damage to the fuselage and leading to in-flight emergencies.

Low ceilings refer to the cloud bases that can be very low during thunderstorms, reducing visibility and complicating navigation for pilots. This situation can make safe landing and takeoff challenging and can significantly increase the difficulty of flying in the vicinity of or through thunderstorms.

In contrast, while heavy rain and wind shear may be related to severe weather conditions, they do not capture the full extent of the hazardous phenomena unique to thunderstorms. Moderate turbulence and light rain, as mentioned in one of the other choices, do not reflect the severe conditions that