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
A split image showing a close-up of a full moon on the left, and on the right a UK and Ireland weather map with blue and white patches indicating widespread rain or cloud. Several moon and cloud icons appear over different regions, with temperatures marked mostly between 4°C and 8°C.
Thursday, 4 December 2025

Cold Moon rises tonight

Third and final supermoon of the year
Weather map showing pink snowfall areas over the Great Lakes region. Snow showers are moving eastwards along the marked arrows. Several cities are affected by the snow bands.
Friday, 28 November 2025

Lake effect phenomenon

Heavy snow showers in northern USA
Split image showing a snowy Christmas market on the left and a UK weather map on the right with pink zones indicating widespread snowfall over Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle, plus white snow icons.
Monday, 8 December 2025

Everyone wants to know...

How likely is a White Christmas?
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday, 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
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