In uk.sci.weather on Sat, 28 Apr 2007, Bernard Burton
wrote :

Clouds absorb and re-radiate downwards the upwelling long-wave radiation
from the surface. When cloud cover replaces clear sky the surface radiation
continues, but can no longer escape to space. The air temperature near the
surface rises towards the ground temperature

Do you mean the *cloud* temperature here, as the temperature at ground
level is invariably lower than at 4ft on clear nights?

until a new balance is
achieved.
--
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)