Millions of eclipse watchers across the US have been eagerly awaiting clear skies to witness the upcoming celestial event. After days of monitoring cloud cover, experts have identified which regions are likely to have ideal, good, or disruptive viewing conditions.
Ideal Conditions: Viewers in northern New England, specifically Maine, New Hampshire, and much of Vermont, are expected to have the best view of totality. Parts of the Plains and West may also experience excellent conditions for viewing a partial eclipse.
Good Conditions: Areas in the Midwest, such as Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois, are forecasted to have good viewing conditions. Cloud cover in these regions is expected to be high and more scattered, allowing for at least some visibility of the eclipse.
Disruptive Conditions: Southern regions like southern Texas, the eastern Great Lakes, Interior Northeast, and the Northern Plains are likely to experience disruptive viewing conditions. These areas may face challenges in observing the eclipse, especially in the path of totality.
Weather conditions are dynamic, and the final cloud coverage at the moment of totality will ultimately determine the visibility of the eclipse. A forecast model indicates the thickness and altitude of clouds at 2 p.m. ET, with low-level clouds posing the greatest obstruction to viewing, while higher, scattered clouds offer a better chance of observing the eclipse.
As eclipse enthusiasts prepare for the upcoming event, keeping an eye on the weather forecast and cloud conditions will be crucial in ensuring a memorable viewing experience.
