overcast

Overcast is a meteorological term used to describe the sky when it is completely covered by clouds. In weather reporting, an overcast condition implies that cloud cover is essentially 100 percent, corresponding to eight oktas (or eighths) of sky obscured by clouds. Overcast skies are commonly associated with stratus or nimbostratus cloud types, though several layered cloud decks can produce a uniform, grey ceiling. The presence of an overcast layer often leads to reduced sunlight and cooler daytime temperatures, and it can persist for hours or days. Precipitation is possible but not guaranteed.

In forecasting and aviation meteorology, overcast is part of a spectrum of cloud-cover classifications, which also include clear, few, scattered, and broken skies. The term is used to convey a persistent, uniform cloud deck, sometimes accompanied by light drizzle or mist, but the exact weather depends on the underlying cloud type and atmospheric conditions. In aviation, coded weather reporting may indicate an overcast layer (OVC) at a specific altitude, which helps pilots assess visibility and flight planning.

Overcast is also the name of a podcast player for iOS created by Marco Arment, released in 2014. The app is noted for features such as Smart Speed, which shortens playback time without distorting speech, and Voice Boost, which enhances spoken intelligibility. It supports offline playback, streaming, episode downloads, and playlist organization, offering a streamlined, user-friendly interface for podcast listening.