sky cover: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical / Scientific / Aviation / Meteorological
Quick answer
What does “sky cover” mean?
The fraction of the sky obscured by clouds when observed from a single location.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The fraction of the sky obscured by clouds when observed from a single location.
In meteorology and aviation, a technical term describing the amount and sometimes type of cloud coverage, often expressed in eighths (oktas) or percentages. It's a key parameter in weather observations and forecasts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is consistent in technical contexts across both varieties. However, in everyday non-technical language, British English slightly favours 'cloud cover' where American English might occasionally use 'sky cover' more readily.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both. Carries no regional emotional or stylistic connotation difference.
Frequency
Low frequency in general corpora; high frequency in meteorological, aviation, and environmental science texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sky cover” in a Sentence
The [meteorological station] reported a sky cover of [5/8].Sky cover is expected to [increase/decrease] by [evening].Pilots must check the latest sky cover before departure.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sky cover” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The stratus cloud will sky-cover the region by midday. (Note: 'sky-cover' as a verb is highly technical and rare)
American English
- The front is expected to sky-cover the Midwest rapidly.
adverb
British English
- The clouds moved in sky-coveringly. (Extremely rare/constructed)
American English
- The system developed and spread sky-cover-wise. (Extremely rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- The sky-cover chart indicated widespread overcast. (Hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- Please consult the sky cover report in the annex. (Open compound attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in businesses directly tied to weather (e.g., renewable energy, outdoor events, agriculture) where forecasts are critical.
Academic
Common in meteorology, climatology, atmospheric science, and physical geography papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare. The average speaker uses 'cloud cover' or simply describes it as 'cloudy', 'overcast', etc.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in aviation weather reports (METAR/TAF), meteorological observations, satellite imagery analysis, and flight planning software.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sky cover”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sky cover”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sky cover”
- Using 'sky cover' in casual conversation instead of 'cloud cover'.
- Treating it as an uncountable noun (*'much sky cover'). It is countable (e.g., 'a sky cover of 7 oktas').
- Confusing it with 'ceiling', which refers specifically to the height of the cloud base.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sky cover' refers to how much of the sky is covered by clouds from an observer's point of view. 'Ceiling' is a specific aviation term meaning the height above ground level of the lowest cloud layer covering more than half the sky.
Typically no. TV forecasts use simpler terms like 'cloudy', 'overcast', 'sunny intervals', or 'percentage of cloud cover'. 'Sky cover' is a more precise term found in technical reports and aviation.
Traditionally, trained observers estimate the amount in 'oktas' (eighths). 0 oktas is clear, 4 oktas is half covered, 8 oktas is completely overcast. Now, it is often derived from satellite or ceilometer data.
In many technical contexts, yes, they are synonyms. However, 'sky cover' is the formal term in certain standardized codes (like METAR). In general English, 'cloud cover' is far more common and natural.
The fraction of the sky obscured by clouds when observed from a single location.
Sky cover is usually technical / scientific / aviation / meteorological in register.
Sky cover: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪ ˌkʌv.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪ ˌkʌv.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated with this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a painter using a brush to 'cover' a canvas that is the 'sky'. The amount of paint (clouds) on the brush determines the 'sky cover'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SKY IS A SURFACE (that can be covered); CLOUDS ARE A COVERING/BLANKET.
Practice
Quiz
In a standard meteorological observation, 'sky cover' is primarily concerned with: