In the TAF report "OVC012 BECMG 1416 BKN020", what does "OVC" indicate?

In a TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) report, the term "OVC" stands for "overcast," which indicates that the sky is completely covered with clouds at a specified altitude. This means that there is no significant visibility of the sky or sun, and pilots can expect uniformly cloudy conditions throughout the layer of clouds.

The usage of "OVC" in aviation weather reports is crucial for flight planning and operations, as it affects visibility and can impact aircraft performance and safety during takeoff, landing, and while in flight. Pilots must anticipate changes in weather conditions, and knowing that the sky is overcast allows them to make informed decisions for their operations.

The other choices represent different cloud conditions. "Partly cloudy skies" would refer to a mix of clouds and clear sky, which is not suggested by "OVC." "Clear skies" imply no significant cloud cover, contrary to "OVC." Finally, "broken clouds" signifies that there are breaks or gaps in the cloud cover, which also does not align with the all-covering nature of overcast conditions. Therefore, the interpretation of "OVC" as indicating overcast skies is correct and aids pilots in understanding the expected weather conditions during their flight.