Skycondition

Skycondition refers to the observed state of the sky at a given time, including cloud cover, cloud type, and visibility. It is a key component of meteorological observations and forecasts, informing weather warnings, climate records, and aviation safety. The term is often encountered in weather reports and briefing materials, where concise descriptions of sky state help users assess conditions quickly.

Observations are made by human weather observers and by automated instruments such as ceilometers, all-sky cameras, and visibility sensors. In many meteorological systems, sky condition is encoded using standardized categories that describe cloud cover and obscuring phenomena. The basic categories are used to convey how much of the sky is clouded and whether any cloud layers reach the ground as fog or mist.

Common categories describe the sky as clear or nearly clear, with few clouds, scattered clouds, broken clouds, or overcast. Additional notes may indicate low cloud ceilings, fog, haze, smoke, or precipitation that reduces visibility. In aviation, ceiling and visibility are critical, and sky condition is reported as part of METAR and other aeronautical weather products.

Understanding sky conditions supports weather forecasting, risk assessment for outdoor activities, and planning for air travel and outdoor operations. Although widely standardized, interpretations of sky condition can vary by region and observation method, underscoring the need to consider context and accompanying meteorological data.