One navigation tool pigeons use to advantage is the sun. They can and will orientate with the sun hidden by clouds. My experience is that on a day with the sun visible they find the homeward direction much quicker.
There seems to be a correlation between the type of cloud cover and the birds ability to navigate long distances.
The following information reflects a general consciences of what I could find on the subject.

Cirrus: Composed of ice crystals in the form of delicate filaments, patches or bands.
 
 
 
 
 

Cirrostratus: Ice cloud forming transparent cloud veil of fibrous or smooth texture, partially or totally covering sky.
 
 
 
 

Cirrocumulus:Ice cloud composed of small elements in form of separated patches, ripples, fish scales etc., more or less regularly arranged.
 
 

Altocumulus: Distinct cloud elements are either a sheet or a patchy deck with waved bands, rolls, or rounded masses. Elements usually sharply outlined.
 
 
 
 

Altostratus: Uniform and diffuse coverage where it is difficult to detect individual elements or features. Gray or bluish in colour.
 
 
 
 

Stratus: The lowest clouds, often appear as an overcast deck but can be scattered patches. Individual cloud elements have very ill-defined edges.
 
 
 
 

Stratocumulus: Elements in tight clusters with very little vertical development. Relatively flat lacking the sharp edged, popcorn appearance of cumulus clouds.
 
 
 
 

Nimbostratus:Very dark clouds associated with large areas of continuous precipitation. Although bases are usually low, their vertical extent often extends well into the middle cloud region.
 
 

Cumulus Humilis: Small heap clouds with flat bottoms and slightly rounded tops.
 
 
 
 
 

Cumulus Castellanus: Heap clouds of great vertical extent, looking like a castle tower. Bottoms sharp; tops rounded with sharp outline.
 
 
 
 

Cumulus Congestu: Heap clouds of both great vertical and horizontal extent, looking like a cauliflower. Bottoms sharp; tops rounded with sharp outline.
 
 
 
 

Cumulonimbus: Tallest of all clouds, may extend to over 18,000 m (60,000 ft). Appear as mountains or high towers. Usually have large anvil-shaped tops of ice.
 
 
 
 

Cloud pictures and text from "The weather doctor"

1. April and September: 2 hours after sunrise
2. May and August: 1.5 hours after sunrise
3. June and July: 1 hour after sunrise.

Conditions in which pigeons should not be released:
1.  Visibility is less than 5 kilometers.
2.  While it is raining.
3   Heavy overcast conditions with low cloud cover, fog or thunderstorm-activity.
4.  Strong headwinds in excess of 36 km/h(23 mp/h).
5.  Extremely high temperatures 35C+ for old birds and 30C+ for youngbirds.
6   Strong winds with heavy rain on the line of flight.
7.  Extremely calm conditions indicating something is not right.
8.  When the pigeons inside the transporter are very quiet and indicate something is very wrong.
9.  When inversion is present.
10. When the earth's magnetic field is very disturbed and at the same time other negative effects are present.
11. When the pigeons did not have sufficient time to rest after arrival at the release site.
12. If the release time is too late in the afternoon.
13. If the birds do not have a reasonable chance of making it on the day except in the case of long distant races.

The most favourable racing conditions are:
1. Tailwind.
2. Temperatures between 10-25C.
3. Dry weather
4. Good visibility 20km+
5. High and moving clouds with big areas of blue.

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