Low Clouds

Low cloud coverage quantifies clouds below 2000 meters altitude, the layer that most directly affects photography lighting and creates the atmospheric mood effects landscape photographers seek. Unlike high thin clouds that merely filter light, low clouds are optically thick and block direct sunlight, creating the diffused overcast lighting that eliminates harsh shadows and reduces contrast. Stratus clouds form uniform gray layers that provide perfectly even light for macro photography, waterfall shooting, and forest work, though they remove all sky interest.

Stratocumulus creates broken low cloud patterns that allow intermittent sun, producing dynamic light for landscapes. Morning low clouds often appear as fog or mist layers that burn off as the sun rises, creating the ethereal valley fog scenes and mountain cloud layers that define atmospheric landscape photography. Low cloud coverage above 80% blocks golden hour light entirely, while 20-40% coverage allows sun to interact with cloud edges, producing the most dramatic sunrise and sunset lighting.

In mountainous terrain, low clouds manifest as orographic clouds clinging to peaks and valleys, creating moody alpine scenes. Coastal areas experience marine layer low clouds that roll inland overnight and retreat during the day, offering predictable fog photography opportunities. PhotoWeather tracks low cloud coverage trends to predict fog formation, forecast clearing patterns after storms, and alert photographers to partial low cloud conditions that create dramatic lighting without complete overcast. Understanding low vs mid vs high cloud layers allows photographers to distinguish between complete overcast (high low cloud cover) and high thin clouds that enhance rather than block light. For moody atmosphere and mist layers, target low cloud coverage 40-70%. For clear golden hour light reaching the horizon, seek low cloud coverage below 30%. For even diffused light without harsh shadows, embrace low cloud coverage above 80% while knowing the sky will lack visual interest.