What is a major challenge of heavy cloud cover for military operations?

Heavy cloud cover presents a significant challenge during military operations primarily due to its inhibition of visual identification of targets. When cloud cover is thick, visibility decreases, making it difficult for ground troops and air support to effectively see and engage with targets. This can lead to misidentification or inability to identify enemy positions and movements, which is crucial in tactical planning and execution.

Additionally, the inability to visually confirm targets can hinder the decision-making process and complicate coordination among different units involved in an operation. Effective targeting often relies on clear sightlines, and when clouds obscure visibility, the risk of friendly fire or attacks on the wrong positions increases. This challenge is particularly pronounced in air operations where pilots rely heavily on visual cues for navigation and targeting.

In contrast, while factors such as communication between units and risk of surprise attacks can be influenced by cloud cover, the direct impact on target identification is the more pressing concern for operational effectiveness.