USI sUAS Safety Certification Level 1 Practice Exam

Severe weather, including thunderstorms and high winds, presents the most hazardous conditions for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) operations. In this context, thunderstorms can produce severe turbulence, lightning, heavy rainfall, and strong updrafts and downdrafts that can jeopardize the stability and control of the drone. High winds can significantly affect the drone's ability to maintain stable flight, particularly with lightweight sUAS that are more susceptible to being blown off course. These conditions increase the risk of loss of control, potential crashes, and pose significant safety challenges to both the drone and its operators.

In contrast, clear weather with calm winds creates ideal flying conditions, overcast skies generally present fewer risks compared to severe weather events although visibility might be slightly affected, and low temperatures alone do not pose an inherent danger to sUAS operations unless they lead to other complications such as battery performance issues.