Total solar eclipse forecast shows who has best chance for clear skies on April 8th
A clear sky is key to watching the April 8th total solar eclipse. The FOX Forecast Center has put together a forecast showing areas more or less likely to be impacted by cloud cover during the eclipse.
Early forecasting for the total solar eclipse now shows a higher probability of clouds threatening parts of the South and Great Lakes, while New England is starting to trend in the right direction.
On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Mexico, Canada and the U.S., from Texas to Maine. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun for several minutes. It will be the last time a total solar eclipse passes over a large part of the U.S. until 2044.
To experience the full eclipse, you'll need a pair of solar glasses and to be located along the more than 100-mile-wide path during totality. A clear sky is also key to watching a total solar eclipse.
The FOX Forecast Center has put together the color-coded map below using a mix of climatology and some early forecast model indicators, showing areas more or less likely to be impacted by cloud cover during the eclipse. As the eclipse nears, computer forecast models will improve and be able to give forecasters a better idea of what the sky will look like on the big day.
(FOX Weather)
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Currently, the FOX Forecast Center says clouds will be most probable around the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast with greater confidence in less cloud cover around Florida and New England. Much of the prime viewing spots of Texas through the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys are currently in the yellow category, indicating lower confidence in cloud cover impacts this early in the forecast. The details will become clearer as the event draws closer, so stay tuned, the FOX Forecast Center said.
A composite image of the total solar eclipse seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience Aug. 21, 2017, in Madras, Oregon.
(Stan Honda / Getty Images)
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We can also look at cloud climatology data to see where clouds are more likely to cover the eclipse on April 8th. The map below shows the cloud cover averages over the past 30 years.
It's also important to note that even if it's cloudy, you will likely still see at least some of the eclipse.
(FOX Weather)
A detailed forecast will be available about a week before the eclipse.
Check back with FOX Weather for updates to the forecast as the date of the eclipse approaches, and add your viewing location to the "Events" tab in the FOX Weather app.
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