Weather forecasts give the wind at 10 m above the ground. Your drone usually flies higher, and wind grows with height: the ground slows the air through friction, and that effect fades as you climb.
How big is the difference
It depends on the terrain and the time of day. Over rough terrain (trees, buildings) the wind at 100–120 m is often much stronger than at 10 m, and it can change direction too. On calm, clear nights and early mornings the difference can be especially large, because the air near the ground decouples from the air above.
What it means for a flight
- A breeze that feels gentle at take-off can be close to your drone's limit at cruising height.
- Gusts add to the average wind: judge them against the same limit.
- The drone has to fly back against the wind with a partly used battery. Head upwind first, so the return leg is downwind.
How to plan
- Check the wind at the height you intend to fly, not only at ground level.
- Compare it with your drone's limit: the drone wind limits chart lists 77 models.
- Keep a margin: Drone Weather Forecast turns yellow at 90 % of the limit and red above it.
The Pro wind profile of Drone Weather Forecast shows the forecast wind and gusts at 10, 80, 120 and 180 m and higher levels up to 4,200 m, hour by hour.