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Originally Posted by SlantG  Has the airport been officially closed? |
There really is no such thing as "officially" closing an airport for thunderstorms. Airports get "closed" for thunderstorms when captains refuse to make approaches or takeoff into thunderstorms. That's why flying through thunderstorms during landing and takeoff is still a common occurrence.
Given the conditions as stated and with the caveat that what I can see and paint is what counts the most, I would probably move into my reserve fuel and wait to land at destination. I've done it in the past with no problems. I've also been the first to divert in thunderstorm conditions, which paid off handsomely when 10 planes divert behind me and I'm the first one hooked up to a fuel truck at the alternate.
It's a dynamic situation. Just make sure that no matter what, you do not penetrate a thunderstorm while less that 1500' AGL on takeoff or landing. Follow that rule your whole career and you won't become a micro-burst statistic.