User Guide›Cloud / ceiling flags
Cloud / ceiling flags
Every estimated cloud layer (and the ceiling) is flagged blue / red / pink based on its adjusted height above your facility — not the height as reported.
- Blue — estimated height below 1500 ft. Example:
BKN015reported at a station 200 ft lower adjusts to 1,300 ft. - Red — estimated height below 1000 ft. Example:
BKN010at KLUK (465 ft lower) adjusts to 535 ft for 8OH9. - Pink — estimated height below 500 ft. Example:
OVC008at a station 400 ft lower adjusts to 400 ft.
Every layer, not just the ceiling
These flags apply to every layer in the report, including
FEW and SCT — not only the ceiling. A low few layer that wouldn’t set a flight category still gets flagged here. See the Overview for why.
No layers isn’t always clear sky
If a station’s ceilometer isn’t reporting, its report contains no cloud group at all — which is not the same as a clear sky. The tool distinguishes the two and says “Cloud data missing” rather than “No cloud layers.” See Missing observation data.
The flag is based on the adjusted (estimated) height, not the reported height, so a layer can change color once corrected for your facility's elevation. See How it works for the adjustment, and Visibility flags for the matching visibility scale.