What can a lower cloud base indicate?

Correct answer: Air needs less uplift to reach saturation

Correct answer: A. The cloud base is commonly related to the height at which rising air cools to its dew point and becomes saturated; this is called the lifting condensation level. If the temperature and dew-point temperature are already close, only a small amount of lifting and cooling is needed for condensation. The cloud base will then be relatively low. A is correct because a low base often indicates moist air or a small temperature–dew-point spread. B is the opposite of the usual condition: completely dry air generally needs more cooling before saturation. C is wrong because a low base does not mean clouds form only at high altitude. D is wrong because low clouds can produce rain, drizzle, or other precipitation when droplets grow sufficiently. Memory cue: small temperature–dew-point gap means a low cloud base.