How is partial obscuration encoded in a METAR report?

In a METAR report, partial obscuration is represented by terms that indicate the amount of clouds present at different altitudes. The correct answer highlights the appropriate terms: "FEW," "SCT," and "BKN."

When using these terms, "FEW" signifies that there are a small number of clouds present (1 to 2 octas), "SCT" indicates that clouds are scattered (3 to 4 octas), and "BKN" means that the sky is broken with more substantial cloud coverage (5 to 7 octas). The numbers following these terms represent the altitude of the cloud base, providing a clearer picture of the cloud cover.

In contrast, the other options include terms like "CLR," "SKC," and "OVC," which do not accurately reflect the condition of partial obscuration. "CLR" and "SKC" suggest clear skies with no significant cloud cover while "OVC" indicates overcast skies with 8 octas of coverage, not partial obscuration. Therefore, the encoding of partial obscuration in option A accurately represents varying levels of cloud cover, which is essential for interpreting weather conditions effectively.