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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!

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