Why does the base of a very thick, towering cloud appear dark to someone standing below?
Answer
The water droplets at the top and middle reflect and scatter sunlight upward, away from the ground
The darkness seen at the base is essentially the shadow cast by the upper layers. Sunlight is reflected back up into space by the dense upper and middle portions of the cloud, leaving very little light to reach the base.
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Why Storm Clouds Are Dark - YouTube
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