Cloud Base

K09

Hi,

What is Cloud Base? What does it mean in the accuweather forecast?

Thanks!

fergalr

K09 wrote: »

Hi,

What is Cloud Base? What does it mean in the accuweather forecast?

Thanks!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_base

(not to be confused with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloudbase - god bless wikipedia)

K09

fergalr wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_base

(not to be confused with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloudbase - god bless wikipedia)

So is it the higher the cloud base value the better?

pats87

The Cloud Base is the height at which the clouds start. The base of the clouds will be at that height.

So if it says the cloud base will be at 1000m and your going up a mountain that is 800m then you should have no cloud on the summit, because the clouds won't begin for another 200m.

fergalr

K09 wrote: »

So is it the higher the cloud base value the better?

In general, yeah - if its higher up, then you can go higher while still having good visibility. (always bearing in mind these things can change fast; bring map, compass etc).

In depends though on what the situation is. Maybe if you are going camping you'd want it lower for warmth or something, or a high cloud base would be indicative of other weather conditions you'd want to avoid - I dunno. Or if its low enough maybe you can get above the clouds, depending on where you are going.

Generally, if theres a high cloud base it means I get better views in the mountains and that's a good thing.

K09

Hi,
Just a little confused on this cloud base on accuweather. So for May 1st 12PM in Macgillycuddey's Reeks it has cloud base at 104m X 100.

What does this mean? Multiply 104 by 100? But this doesnt make sense?

Thanks.

Donny5

K09 wrote: »

Hi,
Just a little confused on this cloud base on accuweather. So for May 1st 12PM in Macgillycuddey's Reeks it has cloud base at 104m X 100.

What does this mean? Multiply 104 by 100? But this doesnt make sense?

Thanks.

That means the clouds will begin 10,400 metres above sea level.

K09

Donny5 wrote: »

That means the clouds will begin 10,400 metres above sea level.

OK. So there should be no cloud up to 10,400 metres? Even though it describes it as "overcast"?

Alun

K09 wrote: »

OK. So there should be no cloud up to 10,400 metres? Even though it describes it as "overcast"?

The sun is a good bit further away than 10,400m

Donny5

K09 wrote: »

OK. So there should be no cloud up to 10,400 metres? Even though it describes it as "overcast"?

Yup.

K09

Alun wrote: »

The sun is a good bit further away than 10,400m

indeed. I just have it in my mind that if forecast is overcast then carrauntoohil is going to be covered in cloud.
But at 10,400m obviously not.

Thanks.

pats87

Accuweather has made an error there. After a lot of experience I've found that multiplying by 10 is correct, not 100. So the clouds will be at 1,040m not 10,400m, hence the overcast.