I'm not a professional here, but I was pax on a flight that was struck by lightning on the approach to Gatwick in December of all times, while flying through a very heavy shower...Seemed to strike the fuselage just ahead of where I was sitting (or does it pass along the fuselage, giving the effect of it striking ahead of my window? I'm not too sure of the mechanics/physics of lightning strikes) and there was just a very loud 'crack' and obviously a nice flash too. Didn't seem to be a particularly big deal, but made a few fellow pax go a bit quiet...! It certainly gave the 737 a fair old thump which I felt through the floor...An interesting experience!