I would also suggest learning abilities such as Assemble, Grand Design, etc. If successful, these abilities grant a 30% progress increase (always, no reduction) that is not affected by lightning instability. Further, if Assemble fails, it is not possible for the synthesis to go chaotic as a result. Even better, a failed Assemble can only result in 5 or 10 dura loss, which is ALSO not affected by any instabilities (such as wind).

These abilities have saved many many syntheses of mine that would have been otherwise botched.