In meteorological terms, what does OVC indicate?

Prepare for the METAR Decoding Test. Enhance your skills with multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Achieve success with our comprehensive guide!

In meteorological terms, OVC stands for "overcast," indicating that the sky is covered completely by clouds, with no breaks or clear areas visible. This designation suggests that the cloud cover is significant enough that the sunlight is mostly blocked, creating a uniform, gray sky. Weather reporting systems use this abbreviation to provide pilots and meteorologists with crucial information about flying conditions and visibility.

The other options refer to different degrees of cloud coverage: "partly cloudy" indicates that some clouds are present but not dominating the sky, while "few clouds" and "scattered clouds" denote lesser amounts of cloud cover, allowing for greater visibility and light. In contrast, OVC specifies a complete cloud cover, conveying important implications for weather patterns and aviation safety.

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