Sorry about the double post ^^^^. Rookie move.

If you feel comfortable riding in a heavy rain and you have a little flexibility in your departure times you should be able to avoiding riding in a lightning storm. At least around here, it usually only thunders and lightnings for 30 minutes at the most, then moves on. You can see it coming using doppler radar.

In 5 years of commuting, I have regretted riding once (roads were too icy). I have frequently regretted not riding.