What does "BKN000" indicate in a METAR?

In a METAR report, "BKN000" indicates broken clouds at ground level. The term "BKN" stands for "broken," which describes a significant amount of cloud coverage, specifically between 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky covered by clouds. The "000" signifies that the clouds are at or near ground level, indicating very low cloud cover that could contribute to reduced visibility and operational considerations for aircraft.

Understanding this terminology is crucial for pilots and air traffic controllers since low cloud coverage can impact flight operations, particularly with regard to takeoffs and landings, as well as determining visual flight rules (VFR) versus instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions.