Seasonal and weather limits on drone work
We like flying on pretty days as much as anyone. The job, though, is to come back with usable media — and to keep people on the ground unbothered and safe. That means saying “not today” sometimes without drama.
Wind and gusts
Small aircraft tolerate less than headlines suggest. Gusty crosswinds make inspection framing impossible and stress batteries and gimbals. We watch trends, not single-number forecasts, and we reschedule rather than “hero” a borderline day.
Leaves, snow, and glare
Dense summer canopy hides roofs; winter bare branches help — until low sun reflects off snow or wet shingles and clips highlights. For photogrammetry, inconsistent shadows across a long midday grid can wreck correlation; see surveying notes.
Smoke, haze, and air quality
Wildfire smoke is a safety and health issue, not just aesthetics. The EPA’s AirNow program (airnow.gov) is the public reference we watch when particulates climb — sometimes the responsible move is to wait for clearer air even if wind is calm.