Meteorologist Jay Anderson has released his weather prospects for the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024: Eclipsophile.com presents climate studies of cloud cover and weather along the tracks of upcoming solar eclipses in order to help select viewing locations and travel destinations. Cloud-cover maps and weather statistics are also
available for popular aurora-observing sites globally. Good for planning, or just for interesting reading. Weather prospects aren’t the only factor that should be used in choosing an
eclipse viewing region, but it’s a good place to start.
I'm in southern Illinois. As you might now, we had a great view of it last time. I was in the Shawnee National Forest where there was no cloud coverage at all. Hoping to be able to be in that situation again this next time!
@Mark Egan thanks for posting this. After I had my first-ever experience of totality [near Torrington WY] in 2017, I knew I wanted to see the 2024 eclipse and be better prepared for it [mainly by making hotel reservations before all
the rooms in the path of totality get taken up]. At the time, 7 years seemed so far away, and now it’s almost impossible to believe we are more than halfway there! Thanks for the reminder that it’s time to start planning. As I look at the path and all of the options, it’s obvious that climatological considerations are huge. Of course, anything can happen, but picking a general area with the best climatological probabilities for clear skies is about all we can do. I haven’t read the article yet,
but I am sure it will be a big help. I will probability make hotel reservations in a few areas, I can always cancel a few days ahead of time if needed. Other considerations for me are staying away from large metropolitan areas, and choosing a part of the country that I haven’t seen before or that I want my family to experience. Not intending to make more than a few days‘ trip out of it, given that I [hopefully] will be using the vacation time for storm chasing the very next month, and the kids
are still in school in April anyway.
Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024 | Eclipsophile
- #4
@JamesCaruso What do you know? I was close to the centerline north of Torrington! I had chosen that area because climate data suggested that skies were typically clear there in mid to late August, it had a good road network going
east and west along the totality path, and it was a short drive away from the Rocky Mountains [I went on a beautiful 10 mile hike in RMNP several days before the eclipse] Since I live in the totality path for 2024, there’s no reason to fly or drive somewhere [other than perhaps getting a bit closer to the centerline or needing to escape from clouds] Jay Anderson is very good and detailed at what he does [you’ll see that when you read this guide]. I’m hoping he’s teaching someone
his skills to take over when he retires!
- #5
The only meteorological concerns you can address at this point aren't meteorological - they are climatological. We won't have a good idea of the sky cover until a week or so before the eclipse at best, and a few hours beforehand at worst. No matter where you choose to setup for this, you need to have several backup plans in case clouds interrupt your primary spot. Give
yourself a few hours to adjust as C2 approaches.
- #6
Now to look at the corona, through a bottle of corona, with a mask to protect you from corona…that and watch for those fake mass produced glasses…or so I heard tell.