a dense cloud cover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dense cloud cover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the sky is heavily obscured by clouds, often indicating overcast weather conditions. Example: "The forecast predicts a dense cloud cover throughout the day, making it unlikely for the sun to break through."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At night or during periods of dense cloud cover, a temperature inversion occurs; the temperature of the air increases with elevation, and sound waves are refracted back down to the ground.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This time I was there without my family, but with a group of Chinese architects and urban planners watching through the dense cloud cover from a boat floating on Tai Lake near Suzhou, 2 hours outside of Shanghai.

HuffPost

Michael King: "Morris dancers celebrate May Day by performing a very early dance outside the Red Lion in Penn, Buckinghamshire". Barbara Pleskach: "Prom night at LaSalle High, St Ignace, Michigan". Russell Gossett: "I set out to capture a sunset at the City of Rocks, New Mexico, but the dense cloud cover made for an anti-climactic event.

BBC

On days with dense cloud cover, low light intensities affect the oxygen budget of a pond; as a result, the oxygen production and the oxygen reserve for use at night declines (Kepenyes and Varadi 1984).

International Aquatic Research

Radar echoes from Venus have penetrated its dense cloud cover surrounding the surface and have uncovered valleys and enormous mountains on the planet's surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

THE BRIDGE I LOVE Two years ago I lived in New York City A tight one bedroom with a northern view Work too late; come home filled with self-pity Then out the window see strands greenish blue That swoop of lights, winking like a lover Whose length I'd traveled over many times Some nights I'd lose him in the dense cloud cover Know next time will be all the more sublime.

The New York Times

Spectators were joined by pagans and druids at the ancient monument in Wiltshire, but the dense cloud cover meant the sun remained hidden.

BBC

Weekly composite images were created to minimise the image area contaminated by dense cloud cover and intense sun glint (Álvarez-Romero et al. 2013).

Ecological Processes

Juno, which was named after the Roman goddess who was Jupiter's wife, will enable scientists to see below Jupiter's dense cloud cover – something that's never been done before.

TechCrunch

After some waiting and worrying we wouldn'€™t see the supermoon because of the dense cloud cover my son and I saw it break through the heavy gray backdrop over NYC.

HuffPost

After some waiting and worrying we wouldn'™t see the supermoon because of the dense cloud cover my son and I saw it break through the heavy gray backdrop over NYC.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions, use "a dense cloud cover" to clearly indicate a thick layer of clouds that obscures the sky. This phrase provides a vivid picture of an overcast day or night.

Common error

Avoid using "dense cloud cover" interchangeably with phrases like "scattered clouds". "Dense" implies a thick, continuous layer, whereas "scattered" suggests a broken or patchy cloud formation. Choose the adjective that accurately reflects the sky's appearance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dense cloud cover" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a meteorological condition characterized by a thick layer of clouds obscuring the sky. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a dense cloud cover" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a thick layer of clouds obscuring the sky. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. While the phrase is readily understood, the analysis indicates there are no occurrences in the provided data from authoritative sources. The phrase can be used in both scientific and informal contexts to convey weather conditions and is best employed when accuracy is desired when describing significant cloudiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy cloud cover

Replaces "dense" with "heavy", emphasizing the thickness and weight of the cloud cover.

thick cloud cover

Substitutes "dense" with "thick", indicating a substantial cloud layer.

overcast sky

Describes the overall sky condition when covered by a dense cloud layer.

heavy overcast

Focuses on the "overcast" condition, emphasizing its density.

cloudy skies

A general term for skies with significant cloud presence.

substantial cloudiness

Emphasizes the amount and density of clouds.

lowering skies

Implies a heavy, dense cloud cover that appears to be descending.

murky skies

Indicates a dark, dense cloud cover obscuring the sky.

oppressive cloud cover

Highlights the feeling of heaviness and darkness caused by the cloud cover.

blanket of clouds

Uses a metaphorical term to illustrate a complete covering by clouds.

FAQs

How to use "a dense cloud cover" in a sentence?

You can use "a dense cloud cover" to describe weather conditions. For example: "The forecast predicts "heavy cloud cover" for the entire day."

What can I say instead of "a dense cloud cover"?

Alternatives include "thick cloud cover", "overcast sky", or "cloudy skies", depending on the specific context and level of detail you want to convey.

Which is correct, "dense cloud cover" or "intense cloud cover"?

"Dense cloud cover" is the more common and appropriate term to describe the thickness and opacity of clouds. "Intense" is less frequently used in this context. You can say a "heavy overcast" instead.

What's the difference between "a dense cloud cover" and "a light cloud cover"?

"A dense cloud cover" indicates a thick layer of clouds that significantly obscures the sky, while "a light cloud cover" suggests a thin, scattered layer of clouds that allows some sunlight to penetrate. The phrase "light cloud cover" often suggests a partly sunny condition.