Drones Fly Into Weather Data Deserts. Can They Be Stopped?

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 08:30 PM ET

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Delivery drones could be damaged or even grounded by weather, including unseen winds aloft, leaving customers angry at missed deliveries and shippers scrambling. Shutterstock

Key Takeaways:

Drone deliveries face significant operational limitations and delays due to various weather conditions (temperature, wind, rain), with common drones having very limited daily flyability.
A major challenge for widespread drone adoption is the current "weather data desert," meaning a critical lack of precise, low-altitude weather information tailored for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Specialized weather intelligence, integrated sensor networks, and human forecasting are essential to provide the granular, local data needed to enable safe, efficient, and reliable drone logistics.