---
title: "Wind at altitude: why it is windier at 120 m than on the ground"
description: "Why wind speed increases with height, why the ground forecast underestimates the wind your drone meets at 120 m, and how to plan a flight around it."
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site: Drone Weather Forecast
updated: 2026-09-17
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---

# Wind at altitude: why it is windier up there

> Why wind speed increases with height, why the ground forecast underestimates the wind your drone meets at 120 m, and how to plan a flight around it.

*Last updated: 2026-09-17*

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

1. Check the wind **at the height you intend to fly**, not only at ground level.
2. Compare it with your drone's limit: the [drone wind limits chart](https://droneweatherforecast.app/drones) lists 77 models.
3. 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.

## More guides

- [Can you fly a drone in the rain?](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/can-you-fly-a-drone-in-the-rain)
- [Flying a drone in cold weather](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/flying-a-drone-in-cold-weather)
- [The KP index explained for drone pilots](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/kp-index-for-drone-pilots)
- [How many satellites does a drone need?](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/drone-gps-satellites)
- [Drone pre-flight checklist](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist)

## Check the wind for your drone before every flight

Drone Weather Forecast compares the hourly forecast, gusts, KP index and satellites with your drone model. Free on Android and iOS, no ads.

- [Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.droneweather.app)
- [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/drone-weather-forecast/id6768126094)