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Ground-based gamma astronomy is based on the detection of the Cherenkov photons. Aerosols and high altitude clouds enhance photon scattering and then disturb the ground detection of Cherenkov showers. We present Monte Carlo simulations for the propagation of gamma and proton showers (energy in the range 50 GeV-2 TeV) in inhomogeneous atmosphere with aerosols and clouds of weak optical depth. The results indicate clearly that atmospheric scattering reduces significantly the Cherenkov signal for low-energy showers (50-500 GeV for gamma induced showers). A phenomenological relation is proposed for the estimation of the ground atmospheric attenuation of the Cherenkov signal.