Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather
Took off from UNV Runway 6 with showers in the area. Above 2;600 ft. began a right turn. Radar began to paint moderate to severe echoes along the course line. Asked ATC for 5 degree left deviation and went IMC. Asked for an additional 15 degrees left. The plan was to return back to the right to the south east of the weather. Prior to turning right the radar began to depict moderate to severe echoes. Turbulence and rain began to intensify. Began to slow to 250 kts. Autopilot failed. Asked ATC for best action to exit weather. ATC assigned heading 360. In the turn heavy rain and severe turbulence began. Experienced a white flash off the nose accompanied by a faint electrical burning smell lasted approximately 30 seconds. While in the turn to 360 aircraft over banked up to 45 degrees multiple times with Pilot Flying counteracting the bank. Experienced 500 ft. altitude gain. Within approximately 1 minute from established on the 360 heading we exited to VMC. FA (Flight Attendant) called asking about the smell. During the event ATC was busy and very hard to get assistance from. The frequency was congested and the Controller seemed hesitant to allow deviations. After the flight the 360 heading from the controller shows not a good route. Prior to departure crew checked weather and the radar depicted light precipitation with scattered areas of moderate. It appears cells formed and intensified after during departure. In response; we slowed the aircraft asked for vectors. We used the equipment provided and followed SOPs which determined our route was ok. Quickly changing conditions were not detected after departure.
[Report narrative contained no additional information].
ERJ-145 flight crew reported severe weather and possible lightning strike during initial climb.