B737 Engine handling - Flight in Moderate to Heavy rain
B737-300 FCOM (Supplementary Procedures) Page SP.16.18 (date December 2006) under the heading "Moderate to Heavy Rain or Sleet" mentions that flight should be conducted to avoid thunderstorm or hail activity by overflight or circumnavigation and that where possible moderate to heavy rain, hail or sleet should also be avoided.
It states if moderate to heavy rain, hail or sleet is encountered the engine start switches should be selected to CONT, the AT disengaged, and thrust levers should be adjusted slowly. It also says "maintain an increased minimum thrust setting"
The latter advice has me tossed. Request opinions (facts?) on this statement. Is there a figure in the FCOM that defines "increased minimum thrust setting" in relation to moderate to heavy rain, hail, or sleet?