“Total Solar Eclipse Forecast: Clear Skies Predicted for Your City on Monday?”

As anticipation builds for Monday’s total solar eclipse, some skywatchers may find their view obstructed not by the moon, but by clouds.

Though forecasts remain subject to change, meteorologists are cautioning that eclipse day could be accompanied by storms along parts of the path, spanning from Mexico and Texas to Maine and portions of Canada.

For those fortunate enough to have clear skies, the spectacle promises to be awe-inspiring. Eclipse glasses-clad observers within the path will witness the gradual obscuring of the sun by the moon until it is entirely enveloped, plunging the surroundings into a period of darkness known as “totality.” During this time, temperatures may drop, and the sun’s corona will become visible.

What’s the weather forecast along the eclipse’s trajectory?

Cloud cover is anticipated across much of the eclipse’s path on Monday due to the passage of storms traversing the central United States. However, meteorologist Marc Chenard of the National Weather Service indicates that the northeast U.S. currently boasts the most favorable outlook for clear skies, along with regions of Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

Canada may also experience only light cloud cover, potentially allowing eclipse gazers to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon. However, the presence of higher, thinner clouds may still afford some visibility, while lower, denser clouds could obscure the event entirely.

Regions such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas are in a more uncertain position, with northeast Texas particularly teetering between clear skies and cloud cover. Similarly, Mexico might contend with low to mid-level cloudiness.

Thushari Jayasekara, a physics professor at Southern Illinois University, recalls witnessing the 2017 eclipse from Carbondale, Illinois, where cloud cover partially obscured the spectacle. Despite a momentary disappearance during totality, the clouds eventually parted, allowing observers to experience the full effect.

How reliable is the eclipse weather forecast?

Chenard acknowledges the significant uncertainty surrounding the forecast, attributing it to the unpredictable movement of storms across the country. While conditions in the northeast U.S. appear promising, the timing and trajectory of Monday’s storms will ultimately dictate cloud cover across the rest of the path.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center will continue to provide daily updates on the eclipse forecast leading up to Monday.

What if the solar eclipse is obscured by clouds or rain?

In the event of inclement weather, eclipse enthusiasts can still witness the event online. NASA will livestream telescope views of the sun on NASA TV, starting at 1 p.m. EDT. Additionally, journalists from the Associated Press will provide live coverage from various locations along the path, beginning at 10 a.m. EDT. Other platforms such as the Exploratorium museum, Time and Date, and Slooh will also offer live broadcasts of the eclipse.