FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)MeteorologyEasy
A METAR report includes the sky condition group 'SCT004 BKN008 OVC015'. What is the reported ceiling?
- A400 feet
- B800 feet
- CThere is no ceiling reported
- D1,500 feet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 800 feet
A ceiling is defined as the height of the lowest layer of clouds reported as broken or overcast (not scattered). The scattered layer at 400 feet does not count as a ceiling, so the lowest qualifying layer is the broken layer at 800 feet.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 400 feet is a scattered layer, which by definition does not constitute a ceiling.
- C. A ceiling is reported since a broken layer exists at 800 feet.
- D. 1,500 feet is the overcast layer but not the lowest qualifying layer.
Ceiling Definition
The ceiling is the height above ground level of the lowest layer of clouds reported as broken (BKN), overcast (OVC), or vertical visibility (VV), not including scattered (SCT) or few (FEW) layers.
- Scattered (SCT) and Few (FEW) layers do not create a ceiling
- Broken (BKN) covers 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky
- Overcast (OVC) covers the entire sky
Memory trick: 'Ceiling starts when the Broken begins' — SCT doesn't count, BKN and OVC do.