Determining local wind variability for operations of aerial vehicles

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a computer system over one or more networks, a first plurality of sets of data from a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is installed in one of a plurality of discrete locations within a region, and wherein each of the first plurality of sets of data represents a wind speed at one of the discrete locations during a first period of time;
• generating, by the computer system, at least a first histogram representing at least some of the first plurality of sets of data;
• generating, by the computer system, a first continuous probability distribution based at least in part on the first histogram;
• generating, by the computer system, a first plurality of continuous probability distributions based at least in part on the first continuous probability distribution;
• selecting, by the computer system, a first wind speed based at least in part on at least one of the first continuous probability distribution or one of the first plurality of continuous probability distributions;
• and
• determining, by the computer system, whether an aerial vehicle may execute a mission within at least a portion of the region based at least in part on the first wind speed.

An aerial vehicle comprising:

• a plurality of propulsion motors, wherein each of the plurality of propulsion motors is configured to rotate a propeller about an axis;
• a control system comprising one or more computer processors and a transceiver, wherein the control system is in communication with each of the plurality of propulsion motors, and
• wherein the control system is programmed with one or more sets of instructions that, when executed, cause the aerial vehicle to execute a method comprising:
• receiving, over one or more networks, a first plurality of sets of data from a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is installed in one of a plurality of discrete locations within a region in which the aerial vehicle is located, and wherein each of the first plurality of sets of data represents a wind speed at one of the discrete locations during a first period of time;
• generating at least a first histogram representing at least some of the first plurality of sets of data;
• generating a first continuous probability distribution based at least in part on the first histogram and the first plurality of sets of data;
• generating a plurality of continuous probability distributions based at least in part on the first continuous probability distribution;
• determining a first wind speed based at least in part on at least one of the first continuous probability distribution or one of the plurality of continuous probability distributions;
• determining that the first wind speed does not exceed a first limit on steady wind flows or a second limit on wind gusts;
• and
• in response to determining that the first wind speed does not exceed the first limit on steady wind flows or the second limit on wind gusts,
• determining that the aerial vehicle may execute a mission within at least a portion of the region based at least in part on the first wind speed;
• and
• operating at least one of the plurality of propulsion motors to cause the aerial vehicle to execute the mission.