The Ultimate Guide to April 8 Solar Eclipse Weather Forecast
Path of Totality
There may be no sky forecast more consequential for Americans this spring than the one for April 8, when a solar eclipse sweeps across the Lower 48 states. Predictions are especially meaningful for those in the path of totality — the roughly 115-mile-wide swath from Texas to Maine where the moon will completely block the sun, revealing the solar corona, the outermost part of its atmosphere. Millions of people are traveling into this path, but a cloudy forecast could spoil what many say is an incomparable experience. The United States won’t have another total solar eclipse until 2044.
Cloud Forecast
Cloud forecasts may not be reliable until a few days before the eclipse, but computer simulations are beginning to show weather patterns that give a forecasters a general idea as to where either clear skies or clouds are most probable.
Texas to Maine
Historically, Texas has the best chance of being cloud-free, while the zone from Ohio to Maine has the highest odds of thick cloud cover.
Current Weather Pattern
The current pattern simulated by computer models appears more favorable than usual for sunshine along at least the middle and northern parts of the path of totality. The southern areas — which usually have higher chances for sunshine — are a bigger question mark.
Impact of High Pressure
The predicted pattern shows high pressure in the eastern United States, which promotes sunshine. Low pressure, which tends to produce more cloud cover, is shown in the West.
Possible Storm System
It’s also possible that this pattern results in a storm system forming just east of the Rockies that could spread cloud cover, showers and storms into the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley. But it’s much too soon to be able to nail down the location and timing.
City Forecasts
Here are preliminary forecasts for several large cities in the path of totality:
- Dallas (62 percent cloud cover)
- Little Rock (62 percent cloud cover)
- Indianapolis (36 percent cloud cover)
- Cleveland (31 percent cloud cover)
- Buffalo (35 percent cloud cover)
- Burlington, Vt. (51 percent cloud cover)
Cloud Forecast Data
If you don’t see your city on the list above, you can look up the cloud forecast for any location in the table below:
Regular Updates
The above forecast map, discussion and table will be regularly updated through the day of the eclipse when predictions will be most confident. Bookmark this page and check back occasionally.
Forecast Source
Forecast data is from the Weather Service’s National Blend of Models. Type of eclipse data is from the U.S. Navy.
Read More of this Story at www.washingtonpost.com – 2024-03-29 16:40:00
Read More Latest News
