First, the satellite can see actual low clouds only when higher cloud layers are not present. (realclimate.org)
High temperatures keep different molecular species circulating throughout the atmosphere and prevent them from sinking or forming cloud layers, where they can become hidden from remote detection. (mta.hu)
In examining the probability distributions of liquid and ice water contents and vertical air velocity, the researchers found the ice - water mix changes at different cloud layers and with cloud development. (pnnl.gov)