CloudCast · Cloud Reading Guide
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How to Read Clouds for Photography

Cloud cover percentage means almost nothing without knowing the altitude and type. LightCast CloudCast breaks it down by layer so you know what the forecast actually means for your shoot.

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Cloud types by altitude

Low, Mid, and High: What Each Layer Does

Clouds exist at three altitude bands and behave very differently in each. For photography, altitude determines whether a cloud catches light or blocks it. A forecast showing 50% cloud cover could mean a spectacular sunset or a completely flat grey sky — depending entirely on where that cloud sits.

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Low Cloud — Stratus, Fog (Below 6,500 ft)
Sits close to the surface. Blocks almost all direct light at sunrise and sunset. Great for diffused, even light for portraits and waterfalls. Bad for golden hour or any scene needing sky drama. Fog is a low cloud variant.
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Mid Cloud — Altocumulus, Altostratus (6,500–20,000 ft)
The golden hour sweet spot. Altocumulus broken cloud with a clear horizon is the ideal sunset canvas: high enough to stay lit 10–20 minutes after the sun sets, broken enough to let light through in patches. 30–70% coverage is the target range.
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High Cloud — Cirrus, Cirrostratus (Above 20,000 ft)
Thin and high. Spreads golden hour colour broadly across the sky but less intensely than mid cloud. Soft, painterly skies rather than vivid drama. Does not block direct light at sunrise or sunset. Even thin cirrus significantly reduces star contrast for astrophotography.
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The horizon band rule

Why the Horizon Matters More Than Total Coverage

The most important factor for golden hour photography isn't total cloud cover: it's whether there's a clear band near the horizon where the sun rises or sets. That clear band allows direct light to travel low across the atmosphere, striking the underside of mid-level cloud above it. A 70% overcast sky with a clear horizon often produces more dramatic colour than a 20% coverage day with cloud sitting at the horizon line.

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App Exclusive
CloudCast separates cloud cover by altitude layer and scores conditions for your shooting target. It's only in the iOS app, alongside every other LightCast tool. GoldCast and StarCast also send push alerts when golden hour or Milky Way conditions hit your threshold.
Common Questions
What clouds are best for golden hour photography?
Mid-level altocumulus or altostratus with a clear horizon band. The cloud catches direct light from below the horizon after sunset and reflects vivid colour across the sky. Best colour usually comes 5–20 minutes after the sun sets, not at the moment of sunset.
What does cloud cover percentage mean for photographers?
On its own, not much. Altitude matters as much as amount. 40% low stratus kills golden hour; 40% mid altocumulus with a clear horizon is ideal. CloudCast separates cloud cover into layers and scores conditions for your specific target, available in the LightCast iOS app.
Is cirrus cloud good for photography?
For golden hour, cirrus spreads colour broadly, producing soft, painterly skies rather than vivid drama. It doesn't block direct light. For astrophotography, even thin cirrus reduces star contrast significantly and can obscure the Milky Way.
How do I know if today will have a good sunset?
Check for mid-level broken cloud with a clear horizon band, forecast humidity under 60%, and minimal low cloud. LightCast GoldCast scores these conditions together and sends push alerts when the forecast looks strong — available in the LightCast iOS app.
What is LightCast CloudCast?
CloudCast separates cloud cover into low, mid, and high layers, factors in light penetration and atmospheric haze, and scores conditions for your shooting target. Exclusive to the LightCast iOS app. $2.99/month after a 7-day free trial.
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