When is phenomena like "FEW 000" reported in weather observations?

The phrase "FEW 000" in weather observations refers to a condition where there are a few clouds present at a specific vertical height, none of which obstruct visibility significantly. The term "FEW" indicates that there are 1-2 tenths of the sky covered by clouds. The "000" signifies cloud bases at 0 feet above ground level, which implies that essentially, the clouds could be localized and are not affecting the overall visibility or conditions significantly.

This terminology is used in meteorological reports to convey that while there are clouds, they are relatively sparse and are not contributing to an obstruction of the sky or weather conditions in a way that would warrant a more severe observation. Therefore, "FEW 000" does not indicate a fully clear sky but rather a situation with minimal cloud cover. Thus, the correct interpretation aligns with the understanding of the term "few" in meteorological language, confirming that the presence of few clouds is indeed an observation of partial obstruction rather than a complete lack of cloud cover.