Cloud Base - Measurement

Measurement

The height of the cloud base can be estimated from surface measurements of air temperature and humidity. Modern automated instruments to measure cloud base include specially designed laser systems called ceilometers.

The cloud base can be calculated by these simple steps:

1. Find the difference between the surface temperature (°F) and the dew point (°F)

2. Divide the difference by 4.4

3. Multiply the quotient by 1000

4. Add the product to the Field Elevation (ft)

Another method to calculate cloud base (°C)

1. Find the difference between surface temperature and the dew point (spread)

2. Divide the spread by 2.5 and multiply by 1000 (this will give you cloud base in height AGL (above ground level))

3. Add the field elevation for cloud base ASL (above sea level)

A shortcut to the above method is to simply take the spread and multiply it by 400.