Weather
An automated METAR includes the sky-condition group 'VV004'. What does it tell you?
Answer
The sky is totally obscured with an indefinite ceiling; vertical visibility is 400 ft, and it is treated as a ceiling
VV reports vertical visibility into a total obscuration in hundreds of feet, and it counts as the ceiling — here 400 ft. Choice A is wrong because variable visibility is carried in remarks, not the sky-condition group. Choice C would be coded SCT040. Choice D is wrong because volcanic information appears in remarks or NOTAMs, never as a VV group.
Source: AC 00-45H, METAR sky condition (vertical visibility)
Not the answer
- A scattered cloud layer exists at 4,000 ft
- Visibility is variable, averaging about 4 statute miles
- Volcanic activity has been observed within 4 miles
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