I’ve heard mixed opinions about flying a drone in cold weather. Some say it’s fine while others advise against it. I know cold affects battery life, but what about just flying in cold weather like around 5F? I understand snow is a no-go, but what if there’s just snow on the ground and the weather is cold? Would the effect on the battery be permanent or just while flying in those temperatures?
I live in Wisconsin and fly in cold weather all the time.
You just need to be extra cautious. Flight times will be shorter, and avoid putting your drone in risky situations. Pay attention to the weather and humidity, icing is something to watch out for.
@Zen
Does it get cold enough for snow to be on the ground? Has it affected your battery life permanently?
Zan said:
@Zen
Does it get cold enough for snow to be on the ground? Has it affected your battery life permanently?
I’ve flown in snowy weather. The flights were really short and I planned everything carefully in advance. I have 6 batteries that I cycle regularly (call me crazy, I don’t mind). I haven’t noticed any long-term damage to the batteries. When I’m done, I charge them to 50% for storage and move on.
@Zen
I have 3 batteries, but one is broken. I can’t afford to lose another. I’m glad to hear your batteries are fine.
Zan said:
@Zen
I have 3 batteries, but one is broken. I can’t afford to lose another. I’m glad to hear your batteries are fine.
Fair enough. Just keep your battery warm until you’re ready to fly. I’ve done a lot of research, and the results are mixed. I’ve always been careful and cautious. Common sense goes a long way.
Have fun flying and stay safe!
@Zen
I think a 20-minute flight won’t cause any major issues, so I’m going to give it a try once the snow clears up. Thanks for your help!
Zan said:
@Zen
I think a 20-minute flight won’t cause any major issues, so I’m going to give it a try once the snow clears up. Thanks for your help!
You’ll be fine. Just keep an eye on the humidity and temperature if it was snowing. I’d avoid flying too high to prevent icing from happening.
@Zen
Humidity is pretty high, but I hope it won’t be an issue for a short 20-minute flight under 300 feet.
Zan said:
@Zen
Humidity is pretty high, but I hope it won’t be an issue for a short 20-minute flight under 300 feet.
Take the temperature into account too. I’d be cautious. 20 minutes isn’t that short, considering battery life is 32-45 minutes under ideal conditions.
@Zen
Are you warning me about the battery dying?
Maybe just be extra careful with battery life in cold weather and keep your flights shorter to be safe.
I live in Maine and fly in the winter all the time. I think the coldest I’ve flown in was 12F. The drone was fine.
Oak said:
I live in Maine and fly in the winter all the time. I think the coldest I’ve flown in was 12F. The drone was fine.
So the battery life wasn’t affected permanently, right?
Oak said:
I live in Maine and fly in the winter all the time. I think the coldest I’ve flown in was 12F. The drone was fine.
So the battery life wasn’t affected permanently, right?
No, the batteries heat up when you use them, so they don’t get as hot in the cold. My bigger concern is flying in the summer when it’s in the 90s.
Cold weather shortens lithium battery life. It usually isn’t permanent unless the battery is constantly exposed to the cold.
Moisture and below-freezing air can cause icing. That’s definitely bad for your drone.
At best, your flight time will be reduced and unpredictable. Only you can decide if the risk is worth it. Unless it’s a rescue mission, I wouldn’t recommend flying in risky conditions.
I’m in North Pole, AK. I flew my Mavic 3 for 15 minutes at -40F. 0F is nothing, but -20F is a concern for smaller drones.
Is this the same question that came up the other day?
Bran said:
Is this the same question that came up the other day?
Could you link the post? I haven’t been able to find anything similar.
I heard it depends on moisture. I wouldn’t fly in rain or snow, but maybe others can offer more advice.