Ceiling (cloud)

The main cloud base ( ceiling engl. ) is a meteorological term that has a special general aviation. It describes the height ( above ground or water ) to the lower limit of the lowest cloud layer that covers more than half of the sky and is below 20,000 ft AGL ( 6000 feet above ground level). The specification is internationally standardized in ft AGL (feet above ground level). In the general meteorology of differently defined concept of cloud base is used instead of the main cloud base rather, which forms the basis for the information in meteorological services. Since the clouds in meteorology is measured in eighths, the proper term for more than half is actually more than 4 / 8th

The cloud ceiling is especially important for the visual flight traffic. The limit of 6000 meters excludes cirrus clouds, as they are for air traffic is irrelevant.

Messages from the cloud ceiling will be published in short form as standardized message in the METAR report for the respective airfields. It is because of unexpected change corrected ( corrected TAF AMD ).