Free tool · weather and UAS zones
Can I fly my drone today?
Choose the place and see at a glance whether you can fly today: wind and gusts at flight height against your aircraft’s limit, rain, fog, temperature, geomagnetic activity (Kp index), daylight and ENAIRE UAS zones, with the best window of the day.
The maximum wind is in your aircraft manual (for example, 12 m/s for the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise). Click on the map or search for a place.
Choose a place on the map, with the search box or with your location.
What it takes into account
Wind at your height
Model wind and gusts at 10 m, estimated at flight height, against the limit you enter for your aircraft.
Rain, fog and temperature
Precipitation and its probability, fog, low clouds and temperatures that shorten battery life.
Kp index and sun
Geomagnetic activity forecast by NOAA (with Kp 5 or more GPS is less accurate) and sunrise and sunset times.
UAS zones
The summary of ENAIRE zones at the point: how high you can fly without paperwork and what you need to request.
Guide: how to decide whether you can fly
How to decide whether you can fly today
- Enter your aircraft’s maximum wind, as stated by the manufacturer, and the height you will fly at.
- Choose the place: wind changes a lot between a valley, a ridge or the coast.
- Look at the current traffic light and the next-hours bar: green, good conditions; amber, with caution; red, not advisable. Hover over each hour to see the reason.
- Check the UAS zones at the point and, on the day, the NOTAMs in ENAIRE Drones.
Wind aloft
Models give the wind 10 m above ground, but at 120 m it is usually considerably stronger because of friction with the terrain. The tool estimates it with the wind profile power law: at 120 m, about 1.4 times the 10 m wind. Gusts matter more than the mean wind: a gust above the limit can exceed the aircraft’s ability to hold position or return.
Rain, fog and temperature
Most drones are not waterproof: in rain, water can get into motors and electronics. Fog and low clouds make it impossible to keep the aircraft in sight. Cold reduces lithium battery capacity and strong heat degrades them: in extreme temperatures, fly shorter and warm the batteries before take-off.
Geomagnetic activity: the Kp index
The Kp index measures disturbances of the Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity, from 0 to 9. With Kp 5 or more (geomagnetic storm) the ionosphere degrades GPS accuracy and position errors increase. It matters most for autonomous missions, RTK flights or flights near obstacles.
Daylight
The tool calculates sunrise and sunset at the point and marks night hours. Night flying has its own requirements depending on the category and the aircraft. If you cannot fly today, you can train in the professional drone simulator with the real weather at that point.
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Questions
Where does the forecast come from?
From the MET Norway model (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0 licence) for the exact point, with the nearest aerodrome METAR as a reference and the NOAA Kp index.
How does it estimate the wind at 120 m?
From the 10 m wind using the wind profile power law (exponent 1/7): at 120 m it is 43 % higher. It is an approximation; with temperature inversions or terrain, the real wind aloft may be stronger.
What is the Kp index?
It measures geomagnetic activity from 0 to 9. With Kp 5 or more there is a geomagnetic storm and GPS accuracy worsens; with 7 or more, it is better not to rely on satellite positioning.
Which maximum wind should I enter?
The wind resistance figure from your aircraft manual. If you do not know it, start with 8–10 m/s for small multirotors and raise it only with experience on your aircraft.
Is it an authorisation to fly?
No. It is a decision aid. Before flying check ENAIRE Drones and the NOTAMs and meet your category conditions; the final decision is the pilot’s.
How often is it updated?
The MET Norway forecast is updated several times a day; the tool queries it every time you choose a point (with a copy of up to 15 minutes).
Why is it amber at night?
Because night flying has its own requirements and less visibility. It does not mean it is prohibited: check the conditions of your category and aircraft.