What does "overcast" indicate in a weather report?

The term "overcast" in a weather report specifically refers to a condition where the entire sky is completely covered with clouds. This means there is 100% cloud cover, preventing any sunlight from penetrating through, which can lead to a uniform gray appearance in the sky. This condition often indicates that it may be overcast with stratus clouds, which can result in gloomy weather and potential precipitation.

When interpreting weather conditions, it's important to understand the terms used to describe cloud cover. "Partly cloudy" describes a scenario with some cloud cover but still significant amounts of clear sky, while "clear skies" indicates no clouds at all. "30% cloud cover" would be considered mostly clear or partly cloudy, which does not align with the definition of overcast. Thus, "overcast" as a weather term is accurately represented by the state of 100% cloud cover above the sky.