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Clouds
Clouds also strongly absorb infrared radiation. In fact, a
dominant factor a meteorologist must consider in forecasting nighttime
temperatures for a given location is whether or not clouds will be present.
Infrared radiation emitted upward by the earth is absorbed by clouds and
re-radiated back to the surface of the earth, keeping the surface
temperature from decreasing very much at night. Under clear skies and low
humidity very little infrared radiation returns to the earth, allowing nighttime
temperatures drop more significantly.