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As the outdoor temperatures are getting colder, we receive more questions about flying a drone in bad weather, and even more extreme weather conditions.
This triggered us to list some tips and answer the most frequently asked questions. Especially because we often are toting our drone to countries like the Faroe Islands, Norway, and other places with temperamental weather conditions!
Important: European Drone Regulations Update
Since December 31, 2020, new European Drone Regulations are in effect. Please check out the previous link to find out how this impacts your flying a drone in Europe and how you can prepare for your flight!
Tips to Drone in Bad Weather Conditions
Although you always need to keep your drone in a visual line of sight, we wanted to give you some tips and tricks to help you fly your drone in low temperatures and unpredictable weather.
Visibility
Both the European and the American legislation state that you should maintain a visual line of sight with your drone.
This is why we advise you to check the weather before you leave for your planned flight, this way you can reschedule the flight if the weather conditions are too bad.
Battery
Most modern drones are using lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries, known for having reduced capacity when they are exposed to cold weather. This is why flying in extreme temperatures is not advisable because your drone won’t be performing optimally.
If you still decide to fly your drone in these conditions, we would advise you to keep an eye out for your drone’s battery since it will drain faster during the cold weather.
Custom clothing
Assuming you’ll want to be warmly dressed for the cold weather, we’d advise you to invest in touchscreen gloves (so you can still navigate your drone) and bring a pair of sunglasses (since snow is a good reflector).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Over the past few weeks, we received a few questions about flying a drone in bad weather, which we wanted to address.
Can I fly my drone at night?
While flying a drone at night sounds like an incredible idea to capture the beautiful skyline of your city, however – in Europe – the use of a drone is considered an aviation activity which is why you aren’t allowed to fly at night.
Other rules apply in the USA, where most American cities just require an additional waiver or certificate before this is allowed.
Can you fly a drone in the cold?
Theoretically, you can but from a practical point of view, you will notice that the flight times are going to be relatively short, which is why you should pay extra attention to the lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries.
Instead of the typical 20-25 minutes of flight time may only get 10-15 minutes of flight time in cold weather.
Next to the battery, the cold weather can also impact the drone’s sensors, causing the drone to be less responsive to control inputs or even to drift away.
Useful tip: Before I fly a drone in cold weather, I warm up the batteries in my coat pockets or somewhere that is not as cold! It helps a lot. While I warm them up a bit, I usually will grab my Sony a7iii and shoot a bit in the meantime.
Can you waterproof a drone?
Unless specifically mentioned by the manufacturer a drone isn’t water-resistant (Surviving light rain) or Waterproof (Survive a landing in a pool).
From a purely theoretical point of view, you would be able to waterproof a drone with the use of silicone glue, but we are not advising you to do this because this will void any warranty which was still valid.
Can drones fly in rain?
Generally, drones cannot fly in rain, because – as mentioned – the most fragile and critical part of the drone (the motor and the electrical components) drones are neither water-resistant nor waterproof.
With these weather conditions, it wouldn’t make any sense to fly since the camera lens will be fogged, making the drone and its footage unusable.
If you are already flying and encounter rain, we advise you to land your drone as soon as possible – and the same goes for fog and snow: these conditions promote the production of condensation which can damage your drone.
If you do endure a rain shower, we advise you to wipe down the drone with a towel after the flight to ensure it’s completely dry before storing it away.
Can drones fly in the snow or fog?
According to European rules, you can keep flying your drone as long as you can see your drone and its surroundings. This means you are allowed to fly your drone in bad weather, but you should stop when it’s misty or when it snows.
The condensation created by snow or fog could damage the motors of your drone and ice could even settle around the propellers, which is why we wouldn’t advise you to fly in these conditions.
Can I use a drone at the beach?
Most beaches are considered to be no-fly zones because most countries won’t allow you to fly over national parks – which includes beaches.
On the other hand, the sand from the beach could seriously damage the drone’s engines so we won’t recommend it either.
Do you have any useful tips for flying a drone in bad weather? Let us know in the comments!
Megan Starr
Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.
As a seasoned drone enthusiast and expert in the field, I've had the opportunity to fly drones in various climates, including extreme weather conditions in places like the Faroe Islands and Norway. My expertise extends beyond just flying drones; I stay abreast of the latest regulations, equipment, and best practices, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the drone ecosystem.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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European Drone Regulations Update (December 31, 2020): The article emphasizes the importance of being aware of the updated European Drone Regulations since December 31, 2020. It encourages readers to check the provided link for information on how these regulations impact drone flying in Europe.
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Tips to Drone in Bad Weather Conditions:
- Visibility: Both European and American legislation stress the need to maintain a visual line of sight with the drone. Planning flights based on weather forecasts is advised, allowing for rescheduling if conditions are unfavorable.
- Battery: Modern drones use lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries, which have reduced capacity in cold weather. Flying in extreme temperatures is discouraged due to suboptimal drone performance. Monitoring the drone's battery life during cold weather flights is crucial.
- Custom Clothing: To combat cold weather, the recommendation includes investing in touchscreen gloves for drone navigation and sunglasses for reflection from snow.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Night Flying: In Europe, flying a drone at night is considered an aviation activity, necessitating adherence to specific rules. In the USA, additional waivers or certificates may be required for night flying.
- Flying in Cold Weather: While theoretically possible, cold weather significantly reduces flight times, affecting LiPo battery performance and impacting drone sensors' responsiveness.
- Waterproofing Drones: Unless explicitly mentioned by the manufacturer, attempts to waterproof a drone using silicone glue are cautioned against due to potential warranty voiding.
- Flying in Rain, Snow, or Fog: Drones are generally not suitable for flying in rain, as the electrical components are not waterproof. Snow and fog conditions are discouraged due to potential damage to motors and propellers.
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Beach Flying:
- Most beaches are considered no-fly zones due to national park restrictions. Additionally, sand from the beach can damage drone engines, making beach flying not recommended.
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Author's Tips and Conclusion:
- The author, Megan Starr, shares personal tips, such as warming up drone batteries in coat pockets before cold-weather flights.
- The article concludes by inviting readers to share their own tips for flying drones in bad weather.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide on flying drones in adverse weather conditions, covering regulations, equipment considerations, and practical tips for a safe and enjoyable drone-flying experience.
