Definition 1 of 2
Plain English Meaning
A cockpit instrument that picks up the electrical activity from thunderstorms and shows it on a screen, so the pilot can see roughly where lightning is happening around the aircraft.
Full Definition
A panel-mounted airborne instrument that detects electrical discharges from thunderstorm activity and plots them as dots or symbols on a display, showing the pilot the direction and approximate distance of lightning relative to the aircraft. Unlike weather radar, which transmits a signal and reads the return, the Stormscope is passive — it only listens for the electrical energy produced by storms.
Context Anchor
Seen in cockpit weather equipment discussions and used during flight planning or decisions when thunderstorms may be nearby.