Beginners Guide

When is the Weather too Bad to Fly a Drone?

When is the Weather too Bad to Fly a Drone?

Deciding when the weather is too bad to fly a drone for real estate photography purposes will depend on a number of different factors.

Chances are if you’re debating the question, the answer is that you probably shouldn’t fly. However, this article will go through a number of different factors to help you decide if the weather is too bad to fly your drone.

Table of Contents

General Rules to Follow

  1. Check the Wind Speed: High winds make it very difficult to control a drone, especially if it’s a smaller drone like the DJI Mini or Air series. As a general rule, you shouldn’t be flying in winds above 20-25 mph.

  2. Look at the Sky: If there are low clouds, heavy rain, snow, or fog, it’s an easy choice… don’t fly.

  3. Consider Overall Visibility: If visibility is poor, it may be difficult to see and navigate your drone, so it’s best to avoid flying in these conditions.

  4. Check the Weather: Flying a drone in or near a storm can be extremely dangerous, so if you check the weather and a storm is about to happen, it’s best to avoid flying in these conditions.

  5. Check the Temperature: Extreme temperatures can affect the performance of your drone and the battery that powers it. Avoid flying in extreme heat or cold.

  6. Check Manufacturer Recommendation: The best thing you can do is check the manufacturers recommendations since every drone will be able to withstand different types of weather. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations

What Does the FAA Have to Say?

If you’re flying your drone for real estate photography purposes, then you need to have your FAA Part 107.  If you don’t, it’s very likely that you’re flying illegally.

Assuming you do have your Part 107 though, you likely already have a good idea of what weather conditions you should and should not be flying in.

According to the FAA, the minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station, meaning that you must be able to see clearly 3 miles in order to be able to fly.

Additionally, the FAA teaches that you must be aware of all weather conditions in your area in order to safely operate your drone. They also say to play it on the safe side, always.

How Much Does the Specific Drone Matter?

In general, the heavier the drone, the more wind and weather it will be able to withstand. However, that’s just a general rule and is not always true.

For example, the DJI Air 2S is rated as being able to fly in winds up to 23 miles per hour and weighs exactly 21 ounces. However, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 weighs more than twice as much (48.5oz) but is only rated to fly in winds up to 22mph.

Each specific drone is rated to be able to fly in a specific wind speed. Find the max wind speed your drone can withstand and then check wind speeds before takeoff.

Regarding other types of weather, very few drones are rated to fly in any type of precipitation, especially the drones commonly used for real estate photography.

When is the Weather to Bad to Fly a Drone?

As stated in the beginning of this article, there are many factors that contribute to the type of weather that a drone is able to fly in.

The best thing you can do is read up on the specifications and ratings of your specific drone and simply use some common sense.

If it’s raining, snowing, hailing, etc… don’t fly your drone.

If it’s foggy, hazy, misty, or any other type of weather which limits your visibility, don’t fly your drone.

If there’s a storm about to hit in your area, it’s better to reschedule your drone flight than to try and squeeze it in before the storm hits.

Remember everything you learned through your Part 107 training and the answer will probably become clear.

Additional Resources

Here are a few articles that will help you with any questions you might have about drones and real estate photography:

Drone Real Estate Photography Pricing

Best Drones for Real Estate Photography

Drone Preflight Checklist for Real Estate Photography

If you’re just getting started in real estate photography, check out our Beginners Guide. It’s full of helpful articles and tips that will guide you in the right direction as you begin your real estate photography journey.

You can check out our Gear section as well to see reviews and recommendations on the latest real estate photography gear.

If you’re more interested in other resources that can help your real estate photography business, check out our Business Resources page.

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About author
Matthew Digati is a professional Real Estate and Architectural Photographer. Matthew has worked as a Real Estate and Architectural Photographer since 2015 and has photographed properties and projects all over the United States.
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