Can you fly a drone in snow? Safety tips, risks & aftercare

• An in-depth guide to flying a drone in snow;

• When it’s safe to fly — and when to avoid snowfall;

• The main risks: moisture, icing, sensor issues and visibility;

• How to prepare your drone for snow conditions;

• Post-flight care: drying, checks and safe storage.

Snowy conditions can create some of the most dramatic drone footage — from mountain landscapes to winter sunrises and snowfall shots.

But flying a drone in snow comes with extra risks compared to normal winter flying. Snow can melt on contact with warm components, refreeze inside vents, and create moisture in places you might not notice until it’s too late.

So, can you fly a drone in snow? In many cases, yes — but only with the right preparation, flight planning, and post-flight care.

This guide covers everything you need to know about drone snow flying, including how snow affects your aircraft, how to protect your drone, and how to dry it safely afterwards.

Can you fly a drone in snow?

You can fly a drone in snow, but whether you should depends on:

• The type of snow (dry powder vs wet snow/sleet).

• Your drone’s weather resistance (IP-rated or not).

• Wind speed and visibility.

• Temperature (battery performance is reduced in the cold).

• Your ability to land safely without ingesting snow.

Important: If your drone is not IP-rated, flying in falling snow is similar to flying in rain — it increases the risk of water ingress, corrosion and electrical failure.

For a guide on IP ratings, and to see if your DJI drone has an IP rating, read our Guide to IP Ratings blog.

If you’re unsure about your drone’s limits, it’s safer to avoid snowfall entirely and only fly when snow is on the ground (with a clean, dry launch and landing area).

Dry snow vs wet snow: What’s the difference?

Not all snow creates the same risk.

Dry snow (powder)

Powder snow is less immediately damaging than wet snow because it contains less liquid water. However, it can still melt when it lands on:

• Warm motors and arms the body of the aircraft.

• The gimbal housing.

• The battery bay.

This meltwater can seep into vents and seams — and then refreeze as ice when the drone climbs into colder air.

Wet snow, sleet and slush

Wet snow behaves more like rain. It’s heavier, sticks to the drone, and can enter vents quickly. If the conditions include sleet or slush, it’s best to postpone the flight unless you’re using a drone specifically designed for wet-weather operations.

The main risks of flying a drone in snow

1) Water ingress (snow turns into water)

The biggest danger is that snow looks harmless but turns into liquid water the moment it contacts warm surfaces. That water can:

• Seep into the aircraft.

• Pool in crevices.

• Enter the battery bay.

• Trigger sensor and gimbal faults.

Even worse, water may not cause immediate failure — damage can occur later through corrosion.

2) Icing on propellers and motors

Icing is uncommon in light snowfall but becomes more likely when:

• Temperatures hover around 0°C.

• Snow is wet.

• There is fog or damp air.

• You are flying for long periods.

Ice on propellers can reduce lift and create vibration. Ice on motors can restrict airflow and overheat the system.

If you notice unusual vibration, reduced power, or instability — land immediately.

3) Snow can confuse sensors

Snow-covered ground can reduce contrast and make it harder for your drone’s vision positioning and obstacle sensors to “see” properly.

That can lead to:

• Unstable hovering.

• Drifting.

• Poor landing accuracy.

• False obstacle warnings.

It’s especially common when everything is white, the light is flat, or there’s glare from bright snow.

4) Reduced visibility and orientation loss

During snowfall, it’s easy to lose orientation. Your drone can blend into the background, and depth perception becomes difficult — especially against a grey sky.

If visibility is low, or snow is heavy, don’t fly. You need strong visual line of sight for safe operation.

Before you fly: How to prepare for flying a drone in the snow

1: Use a landing pad (don’t take off from snow).

Taking off directly from snow is risky because:

• Snow and slush can be sucked into motors.

• Snow can pack around the gimbal.

• Your drone may sink slightly and tilt at take-off.

Use a landing pad or a clean flat surface such as:

• A board.

• A case lid.

• A dry path or rock.

• A folded mat.

This is one of the simplest ways to protect your drone when flying in snow.

2: Warm your batteries and plan for shorter flights

Cold weather reduces battery efficiency. If you’re flying in snow, assume you’ll get less flight time than usual.

Best practice:

• Keep batteries in an inside pocket or insulated case.

• Don’t leave them in the car.

• Take off only after the battery has warmed up.

• Fly shorter than normal and land early.

Some DJI drone batteries have a self-heating function.

Always monitor battery temperature and voltage if your app provides it.

3: Do a short hover test

Before heading out for a full flight, do a hover test:

• Hover for 30–60 seconds.

• Check stability.

• Listen for motor strain.

• Watch for warnings or vibration.

This quick test can prevent problems from escalating once you’re further away.

How to fly a drone safely in snowy conditions

1: Avoid active snowfall where possible

The safest snow flights are often when:

• Snow is on the ground.

• The air is clear.

• It’s cold and dry.

• There’s no falling snow.

If snow is actively falling, you’re increasing the risk of moisture collecting mid-flight.

2: Keep the drone moving

Hovering in wet snowfall can increase moisture buildup. When safe, keep the drone moving gently and avoid staying stationary for long periods.

3: Avoid low flying over deep snow

Low flight over deep snow increases:

• The chance of snow ingestion in motors.

• Risk of the drone flipping if it tips on landing.

• Risk of losing the drone if it lands unexpectedly.

Give yourself more altitude than usual and keep a clear recovery plan.

4: Be cautious with automated landings

Snow can interfere with landing sensors, and the drone might not judge height correctly. Consider taking manual control for landing and use a landing pad.

After flying in the snow: How to dry your drone properly

Post-flight care is where most snow damage happens. If you bring a cold drone indoors, condensation forms quickly, and snow hidden in crevices can melt into places you can’t see.

After landing:

1. Remove the battery immediately.

2. Wipe down the drone with a dry microfibre cloth.

3. Inspect vents, seams, gimbal area, and arms.

4. Allow the drone to air-dry at room temperature.

5. Avoid radiators or direct heat (rapid heating increases condensation risk).

6. Only pack the drone away once fully dry.

If the drone was exposed to wet snow or slush, allow longer drying time and consider a professional inspection — especially if it shows sensor errors.

What to do if snow gets into your drone

If you suspect snow (or meltwater) has entered your drone:

• Power it off immediately.

• Remove the battery.

• Dry the exterior.

• Leave it to air dry.

• Avoid powering back on until fully dry

If you see persistent warnings, gimbal faults or unusual behaviour after drying, it’s safer to have the drone checked before your next flight.

Flying a drone in snow: Quick checklist

• Use a landing pad (don’t take off from snow).

• Avoid wet snow, sleet and slush - especially if your drone is not IP rated.

• Warm batteries before flight.

• Do a 30–60 second hover test.

• Watch for vibration (possible icing).

• Keep flights shorter.

• Dry thoroughly before storing.

Flying a drone in the snow: Summary

Flying a drone in snow can be safe — and the results can be incredible — but you need to take snow seriously. Treat it like moisture risk, not just “cold weather,” and plan for shorter flights, safer landings, and careful drying afterwards.

If you want more guidance on cold weather flying, check out our guide to flying a drone in winter, and for moisture safety, see our dedicated guide to flying a drone in rain.