Ceiling
Last updated: April 20, 2026 · Maintained by Aviatr Editorial Team
What is Ceiling?
Ceiling is the height above ground of the lowest cloud layer reported as broken (BKN), overcast (OVC), or vertical visibility (VV) that covers more than half the sky. It is the operative limit pilots use for determining whether an airport meets VFR or IFR minimums before flight.
How is Ceiling used?
Pilots read ceiling directly from the METAR cloud groups — for example, 'BKN020' means broken clouds with a base 2,000 feet above the airport elevation, giving a 2,000-foot ceiling. VFR flight in most European airspace requires a minimum ceiling of 1,000 or 1,500 feet depending on airspace class; below those minimums only IFR-rated pilots with instrument-capable aircraft may depart. Ceiling combines with visibility to drive the flight category (VFR, MVFR, IFR, LIFR) that many weather services publish alongside the raw METAR. Pilots check ceiling before every flight, and controllers use it to open or close VFR corridors. Scattered (SCT) and few (FEW) layers do NOT count toward the ceiling definition — only broken, overcast, and vertical visibility apply. A ceiling trend across three successive METARs is a classic early-warning signal of deteriorating weather. Electronic flight bag apps highlight ceiling trends graphically so pilots can choose alternates before the approach phase.