Markus wrote
Longworth wrote:
3/8 + 5/8 (broken layer) = 8/8 (ceiling)

Thanks very much...it was a 2-part question,
and I couldn't figure out the connection.

I wouldn't be too sure about that answer... this is the
definition of "ceiling" from FAR Part 1:

Ceiling means the height above the earth's surface of the
lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena that is
reported as “broken”, “overcast”, or “obscuration”, and not
classified as “thin” or “partial”.

And from AC 00-45E, Aviation Weather Services

Table 2-5 Reportable Contractions for Sky Cover
Reportable Contractions
Meaning - Summation - Amount
*SKC or CLR Clear 0 or 0 below 12,000
FEW Few 0 but 2/8
SCT Scattered 3/8-4/8
BKN Broken 5/8-7/8
OVC Overcast 8/8
VV Vertical Visibility (indefinite ceiling) 8/8
*SKC will be reported at manual stations. The abbreviation
CLR shall be used at automated stations when no clouds below
12,000 feet are detected.
Note: For aviation purposes, the ceiling is defined as the
height (AGL) of the lowest broken or overcast layer aloft or
vertical visibility into an obscuration.


Partial Obscurations
The amount of obscuration is reported in the body of the METAR
when the sky is partially obscured by a surface-based phenomenon
by indicating the amount of obscuration as FEW, SCT, or BKN followed
with three zeros (000). The type of obscuring phenomenon is stated in the
Remarks element and precedes the amount of obscuration and three zeros. For
example, if fog is hiding 1/8 to 2/8 of the sky, it will be coded in the
body of the METAR as “FEW000.” Because the fog is partially obscuring the
sky, a remark is required. (See Figure 2-5.)


The Remark in your example doesn't seem to fit any of the examples given
in AC 00-45E.

Here is the url for the AC

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...offices/afs/af
s400/awsac/media/sec02.pdf

Bob Moore