Cold is mostly a battery problem. Lithium batteries deliver less energy when they are cold, so voltage drops faster under load: flight time shrinks and a low-battery warning can come early.
Check the rated temperature first
Every drone has a minimum operating temperature. Many DJI models are rated down to −10 °C, while others, such as the DJI Mini 2 or Mini 4K, are rated only down to 0 °C. The drone wind limits chart lists the temperature range of 77 models.
A cold-weather routine
- Keep the batteries warm (inside your jacket or a warm car) until take-off; manufacturers generally recommend warming them before flying in the cold.
- After take-off, hover for a minute near the ground so the battery warms up under load.
- Plan shorter flights and land with a larger reserve than usual.
- Wear thin gloves that still let you use the sticks precisely.
Icing
Near 0 °C with fog, drizzle or high humidity, ice can form on the propellers and change their shape, reducing lift. If the air is saturated and close to freezing, stay on the ground.
Condensation
When you bring a cold drone into a warm room, moisture condenses inside it. Leave it in its case for a while before opening it or charging the batteries.
Drone Weather Forecast colours the temperature of every forecast hour against the limits of your drone model, so you see at a glance when it is too cold for your aircraft.