Yes, you can fly your drone in the rain but it is not recommended. Most drones are not waterproof, therefore, flying your drone in the rain could damage it or even make it irreparable.
Greetings to all my fellow drone enthusiasts! My name is Lavelle and I am a long-time drone owner and operator. I’ve been flying drones for approximately a decade now and have learned a lot of hard lessons during my flying journey.
In this article, I will explain which drones can fly in the rain and which ones cannot. I will also discuss what happens to your drone when you fly it in the rain and provide some tips about what to do if you accidentally caught rain with a non-waterproof drone.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Most drones are not waterproof and caution should be used when catching rain.
- Water can damage your drone and even can result in fatal damage so avoid flying in the rain whenever possible.
- Check if your drone has a water resistance feature before flying in rain.
Can You Fly a Drone in the Rain
It is not recommended to fly your drone in the rain. Most drones are not waterproof. There are some models of drones that are water resistant but even that attribute does not protect your drone from water damage.
You can check the manufacturer specifications for the (Ingress Protection Rating) IP rating. This international rating standing is a rating that indicates the level of sealing capacity on the drone. The higher the rating, the more protection the drone has from water damage.
However, even with a high IP rating, drones can still receive significant damage from exposure to rain/water.
How Rain Can Affect the Drone
While many manufacturers of drones boast that their drones are water-resistant, the reality is that this is not true. With the exception of some very high-end drones, most recreational and even some professional drones are not water resistant.
Water can damage many parts of your drone including the motor and camera. Once water gets into the motor or into the camera housing, the result is often fatal for the drone.
What to Do If the Drone Caught the Rain
What happens when you’re flying your drone in cloudy weather and then out of nowhere, rain comes pouring out of the clouds? Here are some helpful tips if you do get caught in the rain with your drone.
Tip 1: Find a safe, soft landing spot. Many times when your drone gets wet, the first thing that happens is that you lose connectivity with your controller.
When this happens, the drone may attempt to return to its home location OR it may lose power and go down immediately. So it’s critical to know where potential landing spots are.
Tip 2: When you land your drone safely, quickly unplug the power supply, take the battery out, and rid the drone and its components of excess water.
Tip 3: Get your drone to a dry location and damp dry it as much as possible and then allow it to air dry. Make absolutely sure that the drone is completely dry before attempting to replace the power supply and battery. You may just be in luck and your drone may power on without any problems.
Tip 4: If your drone does not power on, take it to a reputable, professional drone repair shop for further diagnosis.
How to Protect the Drone from the Rain
While waterproofing your drone 100% is not probable, here are some things you can do to protect your drone from the rain.
First of all, you can purchase a water suit or rescue jacket for your drone. Sites like Etsy and eBay are good starting points to find wetsuits for your drone. Covering your drone with a water suit or rescue jacket could end up being the difference between losing and keeping your drone.
To protect the components of your drone, you may also consider a process called Conformal Coating. This process entails using isopropyl alcohol or an anti-corrosive material to protect your drone.
Here is a great video to walk you through the waterproofing process.
Comparison Table of the Best Waterproof Drones
Here is a comparison of some of the best water-resistant drones.
| Model | Ingress Protection (IP) Rating | Estimated Price |
| SwellPro Splash Series | 67 | $1,700+ |
| Power Egg X Wizard | N/A | $919 |
| Goolsky Q353 Triphibian Quadcopter | N/A | $1,032 |
| DJI Matrice 30 Series | 45 | $9,000+ |
FAQs
Here are answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding flying a drone in the rain.
Will Rain Ruin a Drone?
It is probable that most drones will be ruined in the rain. Even drones that are listed as “waterproof” or “water resistant” have been known to become inoperable after being flown in heavy rain.
What Drones Can be Flown in the Rain?
There are several models of drones that are listed as able to be flown in the rain. Be careful to read ALL the fine print about drone models with this claim.
Is The DJI Drone Waterproof?
Most DJI drones are not waterproof and will experience significant damage if flown in the rain. There are select models, such as the DJI Matrice series which may be used in rain conditions.
Final Thoughts
Protecting our drones is one of the highest priorities that we have as drone owners. It is important to take the necessary steps to keep your drone safe.
Using water suits, rescue suits, or waterproof materials may help save your drone in rainy conditions. Knowing weather conditions before flying is also another great step to help you protect your drone.
Have you ever flown a drone in the rain? How did you protect your drone from water damage? Share your advice in the comment section below.
