How can thick clouds keep us colder in the day and warmer at night?

Thick clouds can keep us colder during the day by reflecting sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. This phenomenon, known as cloud albedo, limits warming. At night, however, clouds act as a blanket, trapping heat that would otherwise escape back into the atmosphere, thereby keeping surface temperatures warmer. This dual effect results in cooler days and milder nights in cloudy conditions.