cloudiest

Cloudiest is the superlative form of the adjective cloudy. It is used to describe the highest degree of cloud cover in a given context, such as a single day, a month, or a geographical area. In meteorology and climatology, cloudiest conditions denote the greatest extent of sky obscured by clouds, contrasting with clearer or less cloudy conditions. The term functions as a descriptive label rather than a formal meteorological category.

Measurement and terminology: Cloud cover is typically quantified as the fraction of the sky obscured by clouds, expressed in oktas (eighths), tenths, or percent. Weather reports use codes such as FEW (1–2 octas), SCT (3–4), BKN (5–7), and OVC (8). The descriptor cloudiest is therefore a qualitative way to highlight extreme cloudiness alongside quantitative data.

Regional patterns and examples: Areas with persistent cloudiness are commonly maritime or high-latitude climates where cool air and moisture favor extensive low-level cloud decks. Regions frequently cited as among the cloudiest include parts of the United Kingdom and western Europe, the Pacific Northwest of North America, and some coastal regions in Chile and Patagonia. However, rankings of the cloudiest places depend on the dataset, time period, and metric used, so no single location holds an absolute global record.

See also: cloudiness, insolation, sunshine duration, weather terminology.