By Josh Katz,K.K. Rebecca Lai,William B. Davis and Judson Jones
April 8 will be your last opportunity to see a total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States or Canada until 2044. Mexico will have to wait longer. But if clouds fill the sky, or major storm activity emerges, your shot at experiencing the spectacle could be lost.
If you have an eclipse viewing destination in mind, enter it in the box below to see the latest cloud cover forecast. The data this map is based on will update regularly through the beginning of Monday’s event, so check back for the latest information.
See how much of the sky could be cloudy during the eclipse
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cloud coverage
Percentage of sky covered by clouds
Less clouds↑
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
More clouds↓
Sources: National Blend of Models and Eclipse Explorer by Fred Espenak and Chris O’Byrne
Note: Forecast for April 8, 2024, and is as of 11 a.m. Eastern on April 8.
The above map shows predictions of cloud cover — which refers to the amount of the sky covered by clouds.
What does cloud cover look like?
Few
Less than 10% cloud cover
Isolated
10-25%
Scattered
25-50%
Broken
50-90%
Overcast
90-100%
Source: GLOBE Observer App
Nearly everyone along the total eclipse path will have at least some chance of clouds obscuring their view.
Follow our live updates on the total solar eclipse.
One exception is Maine, where National Weather Service forecasters said on Sunday morning that eclipse viewers had “scored a nearly perfect day.”People in the Pine Tree State currently have the best chance of viewing the eclipse across the U.S.
In Central Texas, forecasters see a high likelihood of cloud cover. Further northeast along the path, forecasters in Dallas wrote that “it would be a matter of luck if a break in the clouds happens to perfectly coincide with the eclipse time.” Forecasters in Texas have a growing concern about severe storms, including hail and possibly tornadoes, that could occur within hours of totality in most of the state (with the Rio Grande Valley being an exception).
In Little Rock, Ark., more optimism was brewing in the weather office. While the region may have cloud cover, it may be made up of higher-level cirrus clouds through which the eclipse can be seen. Similar high-level clouds could be present in Paducah, Ky., and Indianapolis, where the forecast looks promising for viewing.
How thick will the cirrus clouds be? That’s the million-dollar question, Joe Goudsward, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Little Rock, said. If they remain thin, they will only cause minor interference with eclipse viewing. Cleveland’s outlook is improving, but the forecast is dispiriting from there to Buffalo.
Some better viewing conditions could occur across north-central New York. Still, forecasters in the Buffalo office of the National Weather Service said it might take a bit of luck to experience decent viewing conditions in the state’s west.
In Burlington, some high clouds will filter the eclipse, but it should still be suitable for viewing.
Jay Anderson, a meteorologist, has a lot of experience pursuing and seeing eclipses even when the weather forecast is uncertain. He runs a website, Eclipsophile, that provides detailed analysis of weather conditions to aid eclipse chasers.
Mr. Anderson said he had been able to see eclipses with forecasts of 50 to 60 percent cloud cover. But around 90 percent, which means it’s almost completely overcast, you would have to be really lucky to see the moon obscure the sun.
On a typical eclipse day, Mr. Anderson said, he would check satellite pictures or simply look up at the sky for sunny patches.
For some eclipses, you need a bit of luck no matter the forecast. In 2009, Mr. Anderson directed a tour group in China to travel about 125 miles outside Shanghai to avoid bad weather. It was pouring when they reached their destination. But as the period of totality approached, the rain suddenly stopped and the clouds parted. They were able to see the total eclipse for almost five minutes.
“Sometimes the weather gods are smiling at you,” Mr. Anderson said.
Jay Anderson at his first total solar eclipse, in 1979, outside Winnipeg, Canada. He has traveled to see every total solar eclipse since then.
Photo from Jay Anderson
Over the years, he has worked with tour companies to guide eclipse viewers to the best locations. He likens eclipse viewing to storm chasing. On his trips, he has told cruise captains to turn their boats around and bus drivers to search for hours to find a break in the clouds.
The unlucky ones who find themselves under an overcast sky during the eclipse will still notice a sudden plunge into darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun, Mr. Anderson said. But they won’t be able to see all the details of the eclipse — the shadow bands, the diamond ring, the sun’s corona.
“It’s muted compared to being in the sunlight itself,” he said.
Even if you travel in pursuit of good weather, try to stay within the path of totality to experience the full effect of the sun’s being completely obscured by the moon — clouds or no clouds.
Historical Data
Historical cloud cover
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Source: NASA Aqua/MODIS
Note: Average cloud fraction for the eight-day period spanning April 7 through April 14, for 2004 through 2023, as derived from satellite measurements taken at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time. Eclipse calculations are adapted from the Eclipse Explorer by Fred Espenak and Chris O’Byrne.
Before reliable cloud forecasts were available, The New York Times analyzed historical cloud cover derived from satellite measurements.
Historical cloudiness along the center of the eclipse’s path
Source: NASA Aqua/MODIS
Note: Places are plotted according to their longitude, even if they do not lie on the centerline of the path of totality.
