Estimating cloud base while on the ground
Is there a reliable way to estimate the cloud base from the ground, using a minimum of equipment?
How do the folk that provide the data for Metars do it?
You just can't tell, by eye.
This afternoon, it looked good, a bit white/grey overcast but brighter and clear to the east (where we were heading), a bit misty to the horizon in all viewable directions but not enough to cause concern. Tree tops all clear, so we went for it. Took off (towards the west) and climbed away only to find almost zero horizontal viz before reaching a couple of hundred feet. Not ideal in a 3 axis microlight. Managed the situation and got away with it.
I called the airfield and was able to stop a chap in a C42 making the same mistake, I hope he got back to Lower Upham safely.
Rans6.......