How are cloud tops determined?

[ThomseN_inc 1,128]

Just bein curious...

As the title says i asked myself how the live weather system in MSFS determines the top of a cloud layer. If there are two or more layers it seems quite easy but what if theres only one?

Is it randomly generated or is there a way to gather info about that?

My observation is that very often the tops are around 30.000ft when there is an overcast or nearly overcast layer. Even when there are more than one it seems that quite often they top at 30.000.

 

So if anyone has a clue on how that system might work i'd be interested.

 

Best regards

[jcomm 5,939]

Being based on the Meteoblue weather model feeds, they have specific products for that, both based on weather models that have different variables and levels of output and also on synthetic and real satellite images and even radar echoes. 

Using Tephigram-based model data is available and can be used for that determination.

Edited January 10, 2021 by jcomm

[spitzer45 99]

I think Meteoblue weather model tells sim where clouds tops and lows start and end. Some weather applications tells where clouds tops and lows are via meteograms. For example check windy app. 

Edited January 10, 2021 by spitzer45