Do drones work in cold weather? How cold is too cold for a drone?

Some people use drones for commercial purposes, while others are only recreational pilots. No matter which group you belong to, you will think about flying your drone in bad weather conditions.

Most drones can fly even in cold weather, and DJI drones can also function in a cold environment at a reasonably acceptable level. But it would help if you used them with more precaution. 

Your battery and some electronic parts may function with worse results in bad weather conditions or shallow temperatures. In some cases, they even can suffer some damage.

Keep reading for more details and tips about flying your drone in cold weather.

Do drones work in cold weather?

Many drone owners want to use their aircraft even when the conditions are not perfect. In some cases, they are almost forced to fly their quadcopters even in winter.

Being a drone photographer at a winter wedding opens new possibilities to take amazing shots. But many drone owners are not aware of the cold weather’s side effects on their tools.

Yes, drones do work in cold weather. You can fly your drone without a significant risk of damaging them. But following specific essential and straightforward rules is strongly advised.

Many of you have already heard about the severe effects of cold on electronic devices. Two simple examples are phones and cars.

If you try to use them in relatively cold weather, you will experience noticeable malfunctions. Many cars are struggling to start the engine, and in the case of phones, the battery is losing power reasonably fast. 

While flying your drone in cold weather, you can face similar inconveniences.

Has your Mini 2 overheated? Check my following article for possible reasons for a Mini 2 battery getting too hot!

How cold is too cold for lithium batteries?

Lithium batteries are electrochemical devices that can store electrical energy. Inside them, the chemical reaction is influenced by the temperature.

The warmer the environment is, the faster this chemical reaction can occur.

Under freezing point, lithium batteries are starting to malfunction and even damage themselves because of the low power of the chemical reactions.

Many manufacturers are implementing systems and perimeters that stop batteries from charging if they are under a specific temperature.

Of course, the majority of drone batteries are not this complex. But you get the idea that using them in extremely cold weather is not advised. 

Flying a drone as much as possible is important not only for hobby users but someone with a service with them. Check my drone business ideas article to get some inspiration if you are thinking about starting a drone business with a demand.

How cold is too cold for a drone?

The minimal temperature you need to fly your drone is in close relationship with the possibilities of their batteries.

The majority of drone manufacturers are advising to keep drones between temperatures of 32°F and 104°F (which is 0°C to 40°C). 

1. Too cold for the drone battery

Using your drone in too cold weather can have several negative effects. The chemical reactions are getting slower, which will result in lower capacity even at DJI lithium batteries. The battery inside your drone will lose power way faster. 

What will cold weather cause to your drone?

• Reduced maximum flight time caused by cold – the first thing you will notice
• The battery in your quadcopter will drain way faster. If you could fly for 25 minutes with a full battery in the warm weather, this performance can drop to even 18-19 minutes.
• The flight time is harder to predict. So, flying too away with your quadcopter in cold weather hides some dangers. If your drone is equipped with a return to the home system, it will signal when the battery power is getting low.
• But these systems can’t correctly predict if the power will be enough in a colder environment. Returning your drone with a low battery from a long distance can put you in an unpleasant situation when the remaining power won’t be enough.
• These systems are calculated with normal battery usage. You can see many videos on YouTube when the pilot activates the return to home option from 1.5 miles.
• This distance might require 4 – 5 minutes of normal battery usage even with a fair speed. With precaution, getting your drone crashed because of the low battery should be avoided.
• The battery in your phone can be too low. I hope this is not a common problem. At least I’m trying to use my phone fully charged every time it is possible. But in cold weather, some phones are more likely to get sensitive.
• I’m an Android fan, so I don’t have problems with the lifetime of my battery. But I heard stories from many iPhone owners that their phones turned off because of the cold.
• Of course, it was way below the freezing point, but generally speaking, iPhones tend to have battery problems more often than Samsungs, for example.
• If you know that you have this kind of issue, you might be more careful. Crashing your drone when it is not in the line of sight (based on the law it has to be)

1. Cold weather and high humidity affect drones

High humidity can cause icing on your drone, and the most affected parts can be the gimbal and the motors. The water inside your drone might cause severe issues with electronics too. But in most cases, the water can enter only when you are flying your drone in the rain or landing it on the water.

The severe problems come when the snow starts melting. In this case, it is strongly advised to land your drone on a dry surface like a landing pad. This way, you can avoid any water infiltration.

1. Condensation from getting your drone from a too-cold environment to inside the house

• Condensation is not so dangerous as landing your quadcopter in melting snow. But if you can warm your drone up before taking it in, you will reduce the risk of damaging some of its parts.

Advice to fly your drone in windy winter situations

Here are a few tips for flying a drone in windy winter conditions:

1. Check the weather forecast: Before flying, be sure to check the weather forecast to get an idea of the wind conditions. Avoid flying in gusty or extremely windy conditions, as this can make it difficult to control the drone.
2. Use a heavier drone: Heavier drones are generally more stable in the wind, so consider using a heavier model if you are flying in windy conditions.
3. Choose an appropriate location: Look for a location that is sheltered from the wind, such as a valley or behind a building. This can help to reduce the wind gusts and make it easier to fly the drone.
4. Adjust the flight settings: Some drones have a wind resistance setting that can help to stabilize the drone in the wind. Consult the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for more information on how to adjust this setting on your particular drone.
5. Keep a close eye on the drone: Pay close attention to the drone while flying, and be prepared to take control if the wind gusts unexpectedly. It’s also a good idea to keep the drone close by and within easy reach in case you need to make a quick landing.

Overall, it’s important to exercise caution when flying a drone in windy conditions, as the wind can affect the stability and control of the drone. Be sure to take the necessary precautions and fly responsibly to ensure a safe and successful flight.

Do drones fly better in cold weather?

In general, drones may perform better in colder weather, as the cold temperatures can help to extend the battery life of the drone. However, there are a few things to consider when flying a drone in cold weather:

• Battery life: As mentioned, cold temperatures can help to extend the battery life of a drone. However, it’s important to make sure that the battery is fully charged before flying, as the cold can also affect the battery’s performance.
• Motor performance: Cold temperatures can also affect the performance of the motors on a drone. The motors may be less efficient in the cold, which can affect the drone’s lift and maneuverability.
• Flight control: Cold temperatures can cause the air to be more stable, which can make it easier to fly a drone. However, if the wind is gusty, it can still be difficult to control the drone, even in cold weather.
• Cold-weather hazards: Cold weather can also bring its own set of hazards, such as ice and snow, which can make it more difficult to fly a drone safely. It’s important to be aware of these hazards and to take them into account when planning your flight.

Overall, it’s a good idea to take precautions when flying a drone in cold weather, such as keeping the battery fully charged, checking the weather conditions, and being aware of any cold-weather hazards.

Is it ok to fly a drone in cold weather?

It’s not the most appropriate condition, but it is ok to fly a drone in cold weather. If you pay attention to some basic rules, you can enjoy your hobby or use it for commercial purposes like topography or event photography.

Want to learn more about drones? You can read the following articles:

1. Can you fly Drones without an SD card?
2. Why do birds attack drones?
3. Can you fly a drone in the rain?
4. How to keep drones off your property?

Some tips you should follow while flying your drone in cold weather

1. Keep the batteries fully charged.
2. Take additional batteries, even if you are planning a relatively short flight.
3. Keep every battery warm until the moment you need to use them. If you have the possibility, keep the extra batteries in a warm place, like the inside pocket of your jacket or in the car.
4. Hover the drone for at least 1-2 minutes so you can warm it up a little bit
5. If you need to work in cold weather multiple times, you might consider buying a battery warmer.
6. Take it easy. Using the drone at full power will discharge the battery way faster in cold weather.
7. You might not want to fly too away. As I already mentioned, the battery won’t offer the same flying time as you would need normally
8. Flying in the wind in cold weather affects your battery even more.
9. Pay attention to your phone and controller, too (cold weather might affect the battery). But even your phone might have a major impact on its battery life. Check my article about Android vs iPhone for DJI drones
10. Take gloves so you can maintain perfect control.

Can you fly a drone when it’s snowing?

It is generally not recommended to fly a drone when it is snowing, as the snow can affect the performance of the drone and make it more difficult to see. Here are a few things to consider when flying a drone in the snow:

• Visibility: Snow can make it more difficult to see the drone, especially if the snow is falling heavily. This can make it harder to maintain orientation and control the drone, increasing the risk of a crash.
• Motor performance: Snow can also affect the performance of the motors on a drone, causing them to be less efficient and potentially leading to a loss of lift or maneuverability.
• Flight control: Snow can cause the air to be more stable, which can make it easier to fly a drone. However, if the wind is gusty, it can still be difficult to control the drone, even in the snow.
• Cold-weather hazards: Cold weather, including snow, can bring its own set of hazards, such as ice and snow drifts, which can make it more difficult to fly a drone safely. It’s important to be aware of these hazards and to take them into account when planning your flight.

Overall, it’s a good idea to avoid flying a drone in the snow if possible, as the snow can affect the performance of the drone and increase the risk of a crash or malfunction. If you do need to fly in the snow, be sure to take extra precautions and pay close attention to the performance of the drone.

Does snow affect the camera of a drone?

now can potentially affect the camera on a drone in a few ways:

• Image quality: Snow can reflect light, which can cause overexposure and affect the overall image quality of the photos and videos taken with the drone’s camera.
• Camera performance: Cold temperatures can affect the performance of electronic components, including the camera on a drone. The camera may be less efficient in cold weather, potentially leading to slower image processing or other issues.
• Snow accumulation: Snow can also accumulate on the camera lens or other parts of the drone, which can affect the image quality or even block the camera’s view entirely.

Overall, it’s a good idea to take precautions when flying a drone in the snow to protect the camera and ensure that you are able to capture high-quality images and videos. This may include keeping the camera and lens free of snow accumulation, adjusting the camera settings to compensate for the reflection of light, and being mindful of the performance of the camera in cold temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DJI mini/mini2 fly in cold weather?

Both DJI Mini and Mini2 can fly in cold weather. But to avoid crashing your drone or damaging the electronics, you should fly it in good conditions, like without strong wind, rain, or snow.

Winter fog can also damage electronics. If you avoid flying your Mini/Mini2 under 32°F (0°C) as the majority of experts advise, you can easily prevent significant problems.

Can I fly Mavic Air 2/Mavic Pro in cold weather?

Like the other DJI products I already mentioned, Mavic Air 2 and Mavic Pro can also fly in cold weather without the danger of damaging your drone.

If you are avoiding very temperatures below the freezing point, the cold won’t affect the battery so drastically.