Home / Editor's Pick /

Mosty clear this week: Understanding clouds on the WeatherRadar

09:32
14 May 2025

Mostly clear this week
Understanding clouds on the WeatherRadar

Examples of different cloud types on the WeatherRadar.

There are mostly clear skies across the UK and Ireland, though cloud cover develops later in the week, do you know how to gauge clouds on the WeatherRadar?

Clouds on the WeatherRadar have various thicknesses and different levels of transparency, as in real life, so that you can get a realistic picture of how the weather looks on the ground.

Some clouds, for example thick low clouds or extensive rain-bearing clouds, will absorb all the sunlight, such as stratocumulus and nimbostratus. Others, such as thinner, wispier high clouds, such as cirrus, are often semi-transparent allowing plenty of sunshine and are associated with drier weather.

You will also be able to see sun and moon symbols under thinner clouds, representing how much sunshine or moonlight will be getting through the clouds.

Moderate UV levels this weekread more

Check the latest cloud cover forecast on the WeatherRadar for your area!

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Weather radar showing clouds and showers over Algeria and Morocco. Next to it, a warning map with the rain area in Algeria marked. Surrounding regions mostly sunny and dry.
Thursday, 18 December 2025

Algeria affected

Rain in the desert
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday, 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
Radar map showing widespread blue rain bands over the UK and Ireland with a triangular heavy-rain warning icon placed over central Britain.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Thursday rain

Incoming downpour prompts warnings
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday, 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList