Before Monday’s total solar eclipse, the forecast is predicted to change, but clouds cover a large portion of the country that is primed to see the best view.
Weather forecasters say that clouds will cover a large portion of Monday’s total solar eclipse’s path across the United States. The millions of people in its path or planning to travel through its prime visibility area, however, still have hope because circumstances could change.
The path of totality, or the areas where the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun, is likely to include cloud cover, according to the National Weather Service’s report on Friday.
This path extends from Texas into Arkansas. Parts of western New York, northwest Pennsylvania, and Ohio may also experience it.
There is some good news: Some areas are expected to be free of the clouds. Clear skies are most likely in northern New England and from southern Missouri to central Indiana, according to the weather service.
However, areas in and near the eclipse’s path of fullness in Texas, Oklahoma, southern Arkansas, Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, and western New York are predicted to see rain showers. In the central and southern United States, thunderstorms are expected on Monday night and Tuesday.
The National Rain Service warned that after the eclipse, there could be dangerous travel conditions due to severe rain and flash flooding.
One estimate places the number of people likely to visit the path of totality on April 8 between one and four million, with Texas predicted to receive the most number of visitors out of all the states.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon moves between the sun and the Earth. The final total solar eclipse will be visible in the United States’ contiguous territory until 2044.
While only a few states will be in the path of totality, every one of the 48 contiguous states in the United States will experience a solar eclipse of some kind.
