Destination Alternate planning

[Driver 170]

At the planning stage you are using LSZH rwy 28 for the alternate. Your dest is LSGG. Below is the latest METAR and TAF for LSZH.

Rwy 28 at LSZH is only a CAT I approach so i would have to apply the 1 up rule, so if CAT I ---> NPA and for a NPA for that rwy, would be a VOR approach to rwy 28. With the METAR below it seems i wouldn't be able to use the VOR approach as cloud base is down to few 500ft and i need cloud base -

CAT.OP.MPA.185 Planning minima for IFR ights — aeroplanes

NPA RVR/VIS
Ceiling shall be at or above MDH

So am i correct i would need to select another runway at LSZH like a CAT II/III and plan for CAT I minima? What would be your call and descision on this one? It just got me thinking and like to see other views on this.

LSZH 012320Z 18008KT 5000 -RASN FEW005 BKN014 BKN032 02/01 Q1017 BECMG 3000 BKN008

TAF
LSZH 012325Z 0200/0306 20006KT 7000 FEW005 BKN025 TX08/0214Z TN03/0201Z TN00/0306Z
TEMPO 0200/0201 4000 RASN BKN008
TEMPO 0200/0209 RA BKN012
BECMG 0209/0211 25012G25KT
TEMPO 0210/0221 4000 SHRA
PROB40
TEMPO 0214/0218 29017G35KT
TEMPO 0218/0302 4000 SHRASN BKN012
TEMPO 0300/0306 2000 SHSN BKN008

[Tom!]

Few isn't a cloud base, only Broken or Overcast is.

[Driver 170]

The TAF mentions TEMPO BKN008 and 012

Would you still plan for a VOR approach or use a different runway? And once i flight planning minima doesn't apply, so there for you could still plan for 28 ILS CAT I ?

[NudgingSteel]

Few isn't a cloud base, only Broken or Overcast is.

Not true! FEW, SCT, BKN and OVC refer to the amount of coverage. The accompanying figure is the height aal and therefore any amount of cloud, even FEW, will have a base level (but not reported if it's above 5000').

Cloud ceiling, on the other hand, is the base of the lowest layer of cloud obscuring more than half the sky and hence that would only be reported as BKN or OVC.