PJ2 -
Of far greater concern here, I think you'd agree, is the power of convective columns within the thunderstorm cell(s) and the possibility of low to poor radar returns from same. Like most who do/did this work, I've seen it once or twice and been surprised at the violence of "what wasn't supposed to be there according to the radar"
I submit that if the radar in use today isn't capable of "seeing" this kind of convective activity, that you avoid these areas completely. Using the C-Band radar we had, I don't recall an active cell failing to show up on the scope.....providing the operator knew how to use it.