Weather watching

Barney

Barney

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Wayne
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I am finding my self drawn to getting up early and going out looking for the beautiful sunrises possible at this time of year, I have noticed that the best ones are on the underside of the clouds where the colours of the sun reflect there.

I am struggling to anticipate this phenomenon and find myself relying on observation and pure luck. And when the best effects can be over in a minute or two, time is of the essence.

It did occur to me that if I could anticipate the height of the clouds then possibly I may increase my chances of being in the right place at the right time, I suppose if you live close bye some the fantastic views then its not too bad relying on observation, but if you need to drive for 30-60 minutes a bit more accuracy maybe needed in my forecasting capabilities.

Anyway enough waffle and to the point, Are there any weather sites that detail, with any accuracy, the anticipated cloud height for the next morning or day, or is there perhaps another way where my cloud height prediction and forecasting skills may be improved, or am I completely barking up the wrong tree?
 
I guess you also need to consider cloud extent, there needs to be clear sky at the horizon otherwise there won't be sun to light up the clouds. I don't know of any specific sites but dew point and temperature will indicate if clouds will form.
 
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sirch said:
I guess you also need to consider cloud extent, there needs to be clear sky at the horizon otherwise there won't be sun to light up the clouds. I don't know of any specific sites but dew point and temperature will indicate if clouds will form.
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Yes Chris thanks for that,

my, purely anecdotal, observations indicate that patchy broken cloud cover is whats needed /required.

I will look into the dew-point issue and add it to my preliminary attempts at predicating a potential, optimum, scenario.
 
Barney said:
with any accuracy
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No!

At least at this time of year, it's not a huge effort to be up at dawn to see what the sky in the East is like and make appropriate plans.

FWIW, I usually dial in a stop or 2 of underexposure (from a full frame metered reading) for sunrises and sets but that's for MY taste!
 
Nod said:
No!

At least at this time of year, it's not a huge effort to be up at dawn to see what the sky in the East is like and make appropriate plans.

FWIW, I usually dial in a stop or 2 of underexposure (from a full frame metered reading) for sunrises and sets but that's for MY taste!
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Yes, that is an appropriate method for bottom of my street, but I am one hour away from Snowdon, Lakes and Peak district. If possible would like to anticipate conditions at those more scenic locations. The late sunrises are an absolute boon for that all important "lie in".

Good tip for the underexposure, Thanks.
 
You ideally need higher/middle cloud above with a clear horizon for those amazing pre-sunrise colours.

I did Google it before, and I think at sea level the 'horizon cloud' is something like 20 miles away. Obviously that distance increases if your elevation increases.

For me in Bristol, I always look to Bath & beyond for sunrise & Cardiff way for sunset - But again, you are just relying on a handful of forecasts & taking your chance. Which is what most people do.
 
Nod said:
At least at this time of year, it's not a huge effort to be up at dawn to see what the sky in the East is like and make appropriate plans.
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It will be raining - and so I will go back to bed and listen to us getting stuffed in the Ashes. Seems to be every morning recently and the forecast doesn't look much better for some weeks.....
 
Mrs Nod is up at crack of sparrow f@rt 4 mornings per week and I usually get up for the necessary... A quick glance out of the back window tells me if it's cloudy and the hammering against the front window tells me if it's persisting down! Rarely bother with getting the camera out these days - I have hundreds of sunrise shots through the back window.
 
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