Hearing Thunder During the Recitation of the Blessings of Shema
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Question
If one hears thunder or sees lightning during the recitation of the blessings of Shema, should one interrupt to bless?
Answer
If one hears in the middle of the blessing, one does not bless. If one hears between the sections [= between Yotzer and Ahavah Rabbah, or between Ga'al Yisrael of the evening prayer and Hashkiveinu], one blesses. But between Ahavah Rabbah and Shema, one does not bless, and similarly between the recitation of Shema and Emet Veyatziv in the morning, or between the recitation of Shema and Emet Ve'emunah in the evening, one does not interrupt, as these blessings need to be connected to the recitation of Shema. Similarly, between the blessings and the Amidah one does not interrupt, as one must connect the redemption to the prayer.
Source
Mishnah Berurah, Siman 66, Se'if Katan 19.