Larry Smith (Member 57,002) took in this multicoloured sunrise over the bayou in Plaquemine, Louisiana, US. Like any sunrise or sunset, the cloud altitudes are revealed by the colours. When there is a mix of hues like this, the higher clouds like the Cirrus here look yellow and pale gold, while the lower ones like the Altocumulus look more deep orange and ruby red. Were any clouds lower still here, they’d likely have a bruised purple appearance, on account of being in the Earth’s shadow.

Also present is a subtle form of the lowest cloud of all: fog. The form here is known as steam fog, and it can appear as cool air drifts over warmer water. In contact with the water, the cool air is warmed and rises from the surface, lifting moisture with it. This forms into droplets that appear as gentle wisps and strands of fog as the air mixes with the cooler air just above. These calm tendrils of steam fog made a guest appearance in Larry’s sunrise.