What is considered a ceiling in meteorology?

In meteorology, a ceiling refers specifically to the lowest layer of clouds that is classified as broken (BKN), overcast (OVC), or visible obscuration (VV). This measurement is critical for aviation and weather forecasting, as it defines the vertical limit of the clouds and can impact flight operations, visibility, and weather conditions.

When determining visibility and assessing flight safety, knowing the altitude of the ceiling helps meteorologists and pilots understand how much of the sky is covered by clouds and what kind of airborne weather phenomena may be present. The lowest point at which these cloud conditions occur gives a definitive height measurement for operational planning and risk assessments.

Other concepts, such as the height of the highest clear sky or the highest point of significant clouds, while related to cloud cover, do not accurately define the ceiling in the meteorological context. The emphasis here is strictly on the lowest level of significant cloud cover that can affect visibility and operations.