text: why do clouds in the sky sometimes seems to surround only the setting sun? i've noticed that sometimes when i see a sunset, there are clouds near the sun and nowhere else in the sky.  this is obviously not always the case, however, i am curious to know if there is some pattern to such sunsets or conditions that may cause it to appear like there are clouds "following" the sun as it sets. it depends on where you live. if you live near the coast and west of you is an ocean, you have a good chance to have clouds around the setting sun because the water takes longer to cool than the land. in the evenings there is a wind blowing in direction of the ocean when the warm air raises above the water. that is why clouds start to form.