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 delivery faces significant operational limitations and delays primarily due to adverse weather conditions, with research indicating common drones can fly only a small percentage of the time, especially during daylight hours.
A critical challenge for drone operations is the "weather data desert"—a severe lack of precise, low-altitude weather information, as current forecasting systems are not designed for the unique needs and vulnerabilities of drones.
Companies like TruWeather Solutions are developing specialized, hyper-local weather intelligence to bridge this data gap, combining existing meteorological data with new sensor technology to enhance flyability, reduce risks, and optimize drone delivery efficiency.