What is the difference between overcast and cloudy

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You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Thread starter panzerfaust0 Start date Jul 25, I have heard of people saying both of these things in regards to weather and I just wonder how these are different. I think that with "cloudy", there are some clouds in the sky however the sky is blue and parts of it can still be seen. Whereas with "overcast", the entire sky is covered with grey clouds.

Am I correct? Context: the weather report says it's going to be cloudy tomorrow. Context 2: I love it when the sky is overcast. I don't have to wear sunscreen when I go out. Copyright Senior Member Penang. You're basically right. A cloudy sky is one in which clouds predominate at the expense of sunlight during the day or obscure the stars at night, but there may be occasional breaks in the cloud layer through which blue sky or stars can be seen.

It is a bit of a give and take with winter weather. We like the sun in the middle of winter because it feels nice, yet it might be too cold to be outside. Likewise, an overcast day can be dreary but you can probably stand to be outside longer, which can be nice as well.

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Share Flipboard Email. Rachelle Oblack. She specializes in climate and weather. Updated March 29, Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Oblack, Rachelle. What Is an Overcast Sky? How to "Speak" Weather Forecasting. What It's Like to Experience a Hurricane. Forest Transpiration and the Water Cycle.

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