Overcast

The sky appears broadly cloud-covered, with weak strong shadows from direct light.

Visual traits

• broad cloud cover
• weakened direct light
• softened shadows

Expected changes

• Cloud cover is more likely to increase.
• Strong shadows from direct light are more likely to weaken.

Definition

Overcast is a weather condition in which clouds cover most of the sky and weaken direct light and distinct shadows. It does not determine rain, storm, fog, time of day, cold, mood, or location.

In more detail

It concerns even, diffuse illumination from a cloud-covered sky. It is distinct from precipitation, strong wind, reduced visibility, a particular time of day, and emotional atmosphere.

Includes

• A state in which clouds cover most of the sky and weaken direct light and strong shadows.

Excludes

• Rain or storm
• fog
• A particular time of day or cold condition
• An emotional atmosphere
• A particular location

What this does not imply

• Rain.
• A storm.
• Fog.
• A particular time of day.
• Cold conditions.
• A particular mood.
• A particular location.

Variability

Cloud thickness, brightness, and the visible extent of sky can be adjusted separately.

Usage

• Specify only cloud cover and weakened direct light.

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify rain, wind, visibility, time of day, or mood separately only when needed.

Typical uses

• Add overcast, diffuse light to a scene containing people, animals, interiors, exteriors, or landscape.

Possible failure modes

• It reads as rain or storm.
• Fog reduces visibility.
• The scene becomes fixed to a particular mood.