Cloud Base Calculator

Calculate the height of the cloud base based on temperature and dew point using the Lee formula

Input Parameters

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

Cloud Base Height (CBH) = 125 × (T - D)

Where:
CBH = Cloud Base Height (meters)
T = Temperature (°C)
D = Dew Point (°C)

Cloud Base Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Cloud Base Calculator and understand cloud formation principles

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the current temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)
  2. Enter the current dew point in degrees Celsius (°C)
  3. Enter the current relative humidity (as a percentage)
  4. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the cloud base height
  5. Review the calculation details and formula used

Understanding Cloud Base Height

Cloud base height is the altitude at which visible condensation begins, forming the base of clouds. This calculator uses the Lee formula, which is a simplified empirical formula that relates cloud base height to the difference between temperature and dew point.

Cloud Formation Principles

Clouds form when air rises and cools to its dew point temperature, causing water vapor to condense into liquid water droplets or ice crystals. The cloud base is typically the point where this condensation begins.

Interpreting Results

  • A higher cloud base indicates drier air at the surface
  • A lower cloud base indicates more humid air at the surface
  • The calculation assumes a standard environmental lapse rate of 6.5°C per kilometer