Solar spectacles are among the universe’s most stunning performances, and on April 8, a major one will be taking the center stage.
April 8 will mark a special space event as a total solar eclipse will be visible in certain regions of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, spanning from the Lone Star State to the Pine Tree State. Interestingly, the last time a total solar eclipse will traverse across a substantial portion of the U.S until 2044.
In order to fully appreciate the cosmic marvel, a pair of solar glasses is a must. Furthermore, you need to be positioned within the path of totality, which is typically more than 100 miles wide.
Remember: The success of your viewing also significantly depends on a clear sky.
The FOX Forecast Center has assembled a cloud cover forecast as illustrated in the map below. The map demonstrates areas that are expected to have an overcast sky, many clouds, or few clouds during the eclipse.
As the spectacle nears, the accuracy of computer forecast models will enhance, thereby providing a better understanding of the sky’s condition on the big day.
As of now, cities like Buffalo, New York, are predicted to have fewer clouds on the day of the event. In terms of states, parts of New York and Maine are expected to have better visibility than Texas or Ohio. Caribou, Maine, is also likely to have favorable weather, being one of the last places in the U.S. to witness the eclipse before the path of totality enters Atlantic Canada.
For the Midwest, fewer clouds could be around Paducah, Kentucky, and near St. Louis, but the cloud cover is expected to increase closer to the Great Lakes region, including Cleveland.
It is also interesting to refer to cloud climatology data, which can indicate where clouds are more likely to obscure the eclipse on April 8. The following map displays the cloud cover averages over the past three decades.
It’s important to highlight that even if the sky is cloudy, you may still be able to glimpse some aspects of the eclipse.
