Written By: Michiel Froling
Last Updated on March 24, 2024
1. Accessing the Weather Forecast
Open an existing Mission or create a new one to access the mission editor. The forecast will be based on the mission's defined location.
On the map screen, click on the Weather Forecast icon, which is the topmost icon in the toolset on the bottom-right corner of the map.
2. Understanding the Weather Data
The weather panel displays a forecast for the mission area. Each parameter is accompanied by a color-coded indicator to help you quickly assess the conditions: Green (Safe), Yellow (Caution), or Red (Danger).
Here is a breakdown of each data point and why it matters to a drone pilot:
Temperature (°C): Affects battery performance and efficiency. Extreme cold can drastically reduce flight time, while extreme heat can cause components to overheat.
Wind Speed (km/hour): Directly impacts the drone's ability to hold a stable position and follow a flight path. High sustained winds drain the battery faster and may exceed the drone's operational limits.
Wind Gusts (km/hour): These are sudden, strong bursts of wind that can be more dangerous than sustained winds. Gusts can cause sudden instability, especially during takeoff, landing, or low-altitude maneuvers.
Cloud Cover (%): Affects visibility and can impact GPS signal strength. A low cloud ceiling may conflict with your planned maximum altitude and is important for maintaining Visual Line of Sight (VLOS).
Humidity (%): High humidity can lead to condensation on camera lenses and electronics. In cold temperatures, it can cause icing on propellers, which severely degrades flight performance.
Precipitation (mm): Most drones are not waterproof. Flying in rain or snow can damage sensitive electronics and motors, and it also reduces visibility.
Pressure (Pascals): Air pressure affects air density, which influences aerodynamic lift and motor efficiency. Significant pressure changes can impact the accuracy of the drone's altimeter.
Visibility (km): A direct measure of how far you can see. This is a critical factor for complying with VLOS regulations, which require the pilot to be able to see the drone at all times.
KP Index: This measures geomagnetic activity caused by solar storms. A high KP index (typically 5 or above) can interfere with GPS signals, leading to poor satellite reception, position errors, or even temporary loss of signal lock.