cloud cover

American  

noun

1. a covering of clouds over all or part of the sky.

2. the fraction of sky covered by clouds.

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Etymology

Origin of cloud cover

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Because of cloud cover limiting movement by a helicopter, rangers traveled on foot to reach the hiker, who was lowered down to Lake Helen, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Temperatures may fluctuate from day to day though, depending on changes in wind direction and cloud cover, but will generally be close to or above average for the time of the year.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

As with every technology, satellites have their limitations: They are not particularly helpful on days of thick cloud cover, which is much of the winter in Ukraine, and can’t loiter over a moving target.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

A bearish engulfing candle on April 21, a bearish dark cloud cover on May 7, and three doji candles in the last five sessions point to a rising sense of indecision near resistance.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Some of the people pointed to the sky, but when Alex looked upward, all he saw was cloud cover.

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer