Yes, lower the gear if in a retract.

Explanation please. Would the air gusting inside the storm not exceed the
gear extended speed? (Dive bomber rated speed limiting brakes excepted.)

Being inside a thunderstorm is an emergency. Extended gear helps you
slow down and makes the plane more stable.

Jose
--
"Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can't see where
it keeps its brain."
(chapter 10 of book 3 - Harry Potter).
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