EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Weather
Very bad weather in [the] area. Night IFR with low ceilings; thunderstorms; and turbulence. Took off Runway 27 on XXX departure. Climbing through approximately FL250 picking our way through thunderstorms in the vicinity of YAWNS intersection when we experienced an extremely bright lightning flash followed immediately by AHRS 2 failure; AP fail; and YD fail. We performed appropriate QRH procedures and coordinated with Dispatch and Airport Operation to air return. Because of the line of extreme thunderstorms that was moving through the area we had to fly about 50 mile south before we were able to make a turn towards the north and begin making our way back towards the airport. We were able to find a hole and begin setting up for the right downwind. Accepted the ILS and broke out at 300 AGL and landed without incident. Post flight inspection was performed at night and in heavy rain; but we did notice quite a bit of missing paint and possible scorch marks on the radome and the area around it. Maintenance was notified and was on their way to tow it to their hangar to perform a more thorough inspection when we left the aircraft.  The weather was a big threat. Very electrical; heavy rain and moderate turbulence. I think we did a good job of staying calm and handled the situation appropriately. I was the pilot flying and after the AP failure I was preoccupied with that problem and could have done a better job of looking around for other abnormalities. I didn't immediately notice that the First Officers instruments were gone until I asked her to fly so I could find the correct procedure in the QRH for the AP. If I encounter a similar scenario I will certainly take a step back and get a broader view of the situation instead of attacking the first problem that I see lit up on the EICAS.
EMB145 Captain experiences a lightening strike climbing through FL250 and returns to the departure airport.