Home / Editor's Pick /

Thickness & opacity: Understanding clouds on the WeatherRadar

11:00
19 May 2024

Thickness & opacity
Understanding clouds on the WeatherRadar

Examples of different cloud types on the WeatherRadar.Examples of different cloud types on the WeatherRadar.

Did you know you can tell how much sunshine will be getting through the clouds on the WeatherRadar?

The WeatherRadar showcases a whole host of information, including cloud cover.

The clouds 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, while 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.

Make the most of your WeatherRadarread more

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

More on the topic
Weather map showing temperatures and a 4,542 mile route arrow over the Atlantic. Symbols indicate sun, clouds and precipitation from North America to Europe.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025

From Europe to America

Weather front over 4,500 miles long
People walk through muddy streets after heavy rain, alongside a rain map of Morocco.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

New rainfall in sight

Fatalities in Moroccan floods
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
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday, 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
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