How MSFS Draws Clouds

Reviving an old topic post SU10…

Does the sim still use NEMS30 model data to draw clouds? Now that SU10 has fixed the issue limiting the number of layers of cloud in the lower atmosphere, has anyone checked clouds depiction in the sim vs Meteoblue model data?

An old thread from late last year did a good job researching cloud depiction. It referenced using cross section Meteoblue NEMs model data to compare clouds in the meteoblue NEMS model to MSFS layers.

I’m happy with the SU10 weather updates, just wondering if I missed a thread updating the comparison. It’s late on the east coast US, but I’ll take a look over the weekend and report back findings.

Ok,

Here’s the MeteoBlue NEMSGLOBAL cross section info:

And here are screenshots from the sim, all looking West
Ground:

3000ft:

8500ft:

12000ft:

41000ft:

METAR at the same time, although it’s not used to render clouds:
KCGS 301850Z AUTO 05009KT 10SM SCT120 16/11 A3016 RMK AO2 T01610112

Thanks for riding along on my quest to understand what data is used to render clouds!

I think SU10 is doing a fantastic job of rendering clouds. I’m now convinced it’s using NEMS (likely NEMS30) data from 30 layers visualized in the cross section METEOBLUE diagrams to draw clouds. Although this is from one spot on the planet near Washington, DC, the clouds rendered in the sim closely match the cross section info.

@Perrry @WxMarc I used your old thread from Dec 2021 to help figure out where cloud data comes from. The release notes state SU10 added layers lower in the atmosphere which seems to help limit giant towering cumulus from being rendered everywhere and more accurately represent lower level clouds. not perfect but getting better :+1:t6: :+1:t6:

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Moved to #self-service:weather

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