Ceiling — what the colors mean

The ceiling map shows the forecast height of the lowest broken or overcast cloud layer above ground level, from the DWD ICON-D2 model. It answers a single question: is the sky low enough to spoil VFR here?

What the field actually is

ICON-D2 exports a diagnostic CEILING field: the lowest model level at which total cloud cover exceeds 4/8. That threshold matches the aviation definition of "broken" — a value below 1,000 ft means you can expect a solid layer close to the surface, not just a few scattered patches.

How to read the colors (GAFOR scheme)

• Red / pink — below 1,000 ft AGL: GAFOR Mike or X-Ray. Not VFR.
• Yellow — 1,000 to 3,000 ft AGL: GAFOR Charlie. Legal VFR but marginal; combine with terrain along your route before committing.
• Light green — 3,000 to 5,000 ft AGL: Comfortable VFR under most conditions.
• Dark green — above 5,000 ft AGL: GAFOR Delta or Oscar. Broadly unrestricted.

The subtle trap: AGL, not MSL

Cross-check with the cross-section when planning a route through terrain — it shows the layer's actual altitude and lets you see whether you can fly beneath, above, or between it.

When ceiling is not enough

Ceiling is only half the VFR minima. Combine it with:

• Visibility — GAFOR Charlie can be triggered by visibility alone.
• Significant weather — fog and freezing rain change the picture fast.
• Meteogram at your specific airfield — see the meteogram guide.

Model caveats

ICON-D2's CEILING field can miss thin stratocumulus decks that are solid enough to see but too thin for the model's coverage threshold. In persistent stratus/fog situations, cross-check with current METARs — a model saying 4,000 ft while every station reports OVC008 is telling you the model is late resolving the layer.