Can DJI Tello Fly in the Snow? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you have a DJI drone or are planning to get one, you are probably wondering whether it can shoot in any weather conditions. DJI drones offer a great experience and have some of the best technology available. In 2018, Ryze and DJI released the new DJI Tello. It has amazing features and a reasonable price, you want to know if it can fly in the snow. Let’s find out!

DJI Tello can fly in the snow, but it’s best not to fly your drone during heavy snow to avoid moisture problems. However, every drone has operating temperature guidelines you have to consider. It is a good practice to allow your DJI Tello to acclimate to the temperature before flying.

The DJI Tello manual does not recommend flying your drone in heavy rain or snow because it can damage your drone’s components. Preparation is the key, and it is important to understand how snowy weather and cold temperature affect your drone. Keep reading to learn more about this.

Can You Fly Your DJI Tello Drone in the Snow? #

It can be pretty demanding to fly your drone in winter conditions. Winter is beautiful, and you want to capture as much of its beauty as possible. Every drone owner wants to use this to their advantage and shoot some great visuals in a safe and controlled way.

As mentioned before, it is possible to fly DJI Tello during the winter and in the snow, but you will need to take extra precautions. Flying your drone in these conditions can cause some damage because drones have a lot of electronic parts. I would not recommend flying a DJI Tello drone when it is actively snowing if you are a beginner and do not know how to prepare accordingly for such circumstances.

If you decide to fly your DJI Tello in the snow, prepare for some issues and concerns before packing it up for flying. Especially, be aware that prolonged exposure to snow may compromise the electronic components. 

Also, your drone can easily get wet if it’s actually snowing. If it is snowing lightly, have an umbrella with you when setting things up. If the snow is heavy, you should probably not be taking your drone out even for a short flight.  

Also keep in mind that flight time is shorter during the winter. In winter conditions, it is probably 10% shorter, especially when temperatures are below zero, as the cold temperatures will drain the batteries faster. 

Conventional wisdom has it that if it is snowing outside, keep your drone inside. Now, there is a little freedom for you, depending on your UAV. Some upgraded DJI drones are weather-resistant and can endure some precipitation, but you have to be careful with DJI Tello, which is not as durable. If a stiff breeze may push your DJI Tello away, imagine what heavier snow can do.

Even if snow is not actively falling, it can still be on the ground and can be a possible threat to your drone. But in the 21st century, everything is available for electronics. Invest in some products designed to protect a drone in order to safely fly even when there is snow on the ground.

What Temperatures Can the DJI Tello Handle? #

This and many other drones are not really designed for cold weather. It is not the friendliest condition for them. If you want to fly your drone, read your manual carefully, and you will find out crucial information about your drone’s temperature range.

DJI Tello’s manual says its operating temperature range is 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C). 

Flying outside this range may put your drone at risk. If your drone can handle different conditions, then go ahead! Try to avoid contact with snow, since moisture can damage your motors. It is better to use a landing pad for taking off and landing your drone.

Think twice about flying around the freezing point in foggy or moist weather. Moisture can form ice on the propellers and change the aerodynamics. In this case, the propellers will not be able to create adequate lift. 

Extremely cold temperatures are a hazard. Although the drone’s battery and moving parts can get warm when in use, some batteries will drain faster in cold weather.

Make sure to check the temperature before flying and closely monitor your battery life when flying on a snowy day.

Is the DJI Tello Waterproof? #

Before we touch on this topic, let’s first clarify the difference between waterproof and water-resistant.

Waterproof means you can submerge something in the water, and it will work fine even after being a couple of hours there. It allows you more freedom, and you do not have to worry about your drone getting wet.

Water-resistant means that your electronics can be in contact with a certain amount of water, such as a bit of rain. I do not recommend you put your drone to the test. Drones are not cheap, and you do not want to put them in the water and risk it.

Many companies sometimes use these terms interchangeably, so you better do a little investigating to learn exactly what they mean by the term they’re using. 

DJI drones are not usually waterproof. Yes, they are capable of many things, carrying packages, recording videos in high definition, but they are not waterproof. The reason is DJI drones are full of technology. However, they will help you with their smart features, such as the ability to avoid obstacles. They also have the useful feature of returning home if lost and low on battery. 

Electronics and water do not get along together, so the DJI Tello is not waterproof. This drone may tolerate a little splash of water, but it is better to avoid heavy rains and snow. 

DJI made a great amount of progress, and it seems manufacturing waterproof drones is not their goal now. Waterproof drones are expensive, but there are some alternatives. Depending on the drone model, there are some things you can do to make it water-resistant. There are many products designed to protect your electronics. You can find on Amazon cheap conformal silicone or acrylic coating to protect your DJI Tello. Remember that these products do not make your drone waterproof, only water-resistant.

Tips for Flying Your DJI Tello in the Snow #

Here are some tips to keep in mind when flying your drone in the snow:

1. Dress properly

Before you do anything else, ensure that you are wearing appropriate clothes for flying. Wear a lot of layers to keep yourself warm. The most important item of clothing is gloves. Your hands will be out in the open for the entire time, so do not forget to put on a good pair of gloves, preferably touchscreen gloves, so you can control your device during the flight.

2. Take care of the batteries

DJI drones use Lithium Polymer batteries. Unfortunately, cold temperatures can drain them and decrease their effectiveness. I recommend you only use fully charged batteries. It is important to pre-heat them to 68° F (20° C) before going outside, and keep them warm until you’re ready to fly. In order to warm up your battery, hover for a couple of minutes before continuing with your flight. If you have some spare batteries with you, keep them in an inside pocket near your body heat to keep them warm. Make sure to check your battery status during the flight.

3. Check the weather conditions

Always check the weather before flying. Avoid strong wind, heavy rain, and snow. Read the manual carefully to learn your drone’s operating temperature range. Do not fly in temperatures below zero. Do not forget that moisture can damage the motors. Avoid contact with snow if possible, and use a landing pad for taking off and landing a drone. Also, keep your drone in your visual line of sight.

4. Adjust settings for a better experience in snow

Set camera exposure and white balance to capture the snow’s beauty. If you do not do so, your images can turn out dark, or else washed out. Adjust the white balance to get the perfect white color of snow. Otherwise, it will look gray. It will take a bit of time to get the correct settings, but your images will look much better if you do it correctly. 

5. Avoid moisture

One of the biggest issues in winter is moisture. It is hard to resist flying in the snow because it is an excellent opportunity to take some stunning shots. However, this is a risk for your drone. If you still want to fly your drone in snow, then check it for any moisture after you land it. Do not forget to look at the battery and camera. Wipe down the drone with a towel, so it is completely dry before you pack it away.

6. Propeller icing

You may think icing will not happen, but there is a possibility it will, especially in colder temperatures. Icing occurs because of cold temperatures and moisture in the air. It can cause ice build-up on the propellers during the flight. They can damage the propellers, and in extreme cases, your drone can crash. Monitor your drone and if you see any sign of icing, land your drone and dry it immediately. 

This is everything you need to know about flying your DJI Tello in the snow. Please remember this drone is not waterproof and flying in heavy snow can result in damage. If you still decide to fly your drone in the snow, prepare well and follow our tips to keep your drone safe.