DJI Mavic 3 wind limit

DJI’s rated wind resistance, recommended limits in every unit, and what a ground forecast means at 120 m.

DJI rates the Mavic 3 for winds up to 12.0 m/s (27 mph, 43 km/h, Level 6). A steady 20 mph (8.9 m/s) at flight height is 75% of that rating, which our score calls Marginal. For a comfortable margin keep sustained wind at altitude under 7.2 m/s (16 mph) and estimated gusts under 9.6 m/s (21 mph).

Max wind resistance
12.0 m/s
Level 6 (Beaufort of the m/s figure)
Takeoff weight
895 g
250–900 g
Operating temperature
-10 to 40 °C
Water rating
none stated
Max flight time
46 min
Released
2021

Wind limits in every unit

Our default go/no-go thresholds are a share of the maker’s rating: sustained wind up to 60% is within your limits, up to 85% is marginal; estimated gusts up to 80% are within, up to 100% marginal.

m/skm/hmphknotsBeaufort
DJI’s max wind rating12.04327236
Sustained wind: within your limits up to (60%)7.22616144
Sustained wind: marginal up to (85%)10.23723205
Estimated gusts: within your limits up to (80%)9.63521195
Estimated gusts: marginal up to (100%)12.04327236

What a ground forecast means at 120 m

Most forecasts give wind at 10 m. Higher up it is stronger. With the standard power law (α = 0.14 over open land by day, about 0.25 at night or over towns and forest), here is the sustained wind the Mavic 3 meets at 120 m (400 ft), and how our score rates it. Altiwind uses the model’s own 80, 120 and 180 m winds where they exist.

Wind at 10 m120 m, open land by dayScore120 m, night or urbanScore
10 km/h (6 mph)14 km/hWithin your limits19 km/hWithin your limits
15 km/h (9 mph)21 km/hWithin your limits28 km/hMarginal
20 km/h (12 mph)28 km/hMarginal37 km/hOutside your limits
25 km/h (16 mph)35 km/hMarginal47 km/hOutside your limits
30 km/h (19 mph)42 km/hOutside your limits56 km/hOutside your limits
35 km/h (22 mph)50 km/hOutside your limits65 km/hOutside your limits
40 km/h (25 mph)57 km/hOutside your limits74 km/hOutside your limits

Sustained wind only. Gusts come on top: Altiwind adds the forecast 10 m gust excess (gust minus mean, never less than 20% of the wind), so check the estimated gusts too. See wind at altitude and gust forecast. UAV Forecast also shows wind by height: how it compares with Altiwind.

Cold weather

DJI rates the Mavic 3 down to -10 °C. Batteries lose capacity in the cold well before that, so Altiwind marks every hour below 5 °C as marginal with a battery warning, and below -10 °C as outside your limits. More in flying drones in cold weather.

Rain and moisture

There is no water rating stated for the Mavic 3, so Altiwind treats rain as a limit: a rain chance of 20% or more is marginal and 50% or more is outside your limits. Fog and low cloud also cut visibility, which the score checks separately. See fog, rain and humidity.

Similar drones

Sources

Spec page shared with Mavic 3 Cine.

FAQ

Can the DJI Mavic 3 fly in 20 mph wind?

20 mph is 8.9 m/s, 75% of the 12.0 m/s rating from DJI. Altiwind scores that as marginal for sustained wind at flight height. Gusts and the stronger wind higher up matter too.

What is the DJI Mavic 3’s wind resistance level?

12.0 m/s (43 km/h, 27 mph), which is Level 6 on the Beaufort scale. That is the most the drone is designed to handle, not a comfortable working wind.

Can the DJI Mavic 3 fly in cold weather?

DJI rates the Mavic 3 down to -10 °C. Batteries lose capacity in the cold well before that, so Altiwind marks every hour below 5 °C as marginal with a battery warning, and below -10 °C as outside your limits.

Is the DJI Mavic 3 waterproof?

DJI doesn’t state a water rating for it, so treat rain and wet fog as outside your limits.