Strange Horizontal Cloud Layer Artifacts at High Altitude – MSFS 2024

[WalTobi]

Hi everyone,

I’ve noticed a strange visual issue while flying at cruise altitude (FL360) in MSFS 2024 (BETA SU2). In the screenshot below, you can see some very flat, horizontal cloud layers in the distance (circled in red). These clouds look quite unnatural and seem out of place compared to the otherwise mostly beautiful weather rendering.

System/Settings:

• Live Weather was enabled
• Volumetric clouds set to Ultra
• Specs: RX 9070 XT, i9 13900K, 64gb ram
• No weather-related mods installed
• SU2 Beta

Has anyone else experienced this kind of artifact? It almost looks like a layering or LOD issue. I’m wondering if this might be related to:

• The way METAR and model data are blended in the sim
• LOD transitions in cloud rendering
• Volumetric cloud rendering at high altitudes

Any ideas or suggestions on how to improve this or whether it’s a known bug would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[hobanagerik]

Those clouds probably look better when viewing them from below, or above as well I guess.

Maybe Cirrus clouds.

[TheFalconOne]

It looks like a pretty good impression of cirrus from the side. Might even be noctilucent but I am not sure the simulator includes those.

[davegranstrom16]

Whatever they are, they should not be bright white once the sun has already set. It looks rather awful.

[TheFalconOne]

Well, clouds are the last thing lit up when the sun sets, right?

[SmotheryVase665]

Moved to User Support Hub > Weather & Live Weather as OP is requesting advice.

[davegranstrom16]

Absolutely, I feel the colors can be tweaked a bit though. For some reason it doesn’t look right. Perhaps pinkish or orangey cirrus clouds during sunset and greyish after sunset would look better.