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Will it be cloudy in North Carolina today for the Solar Eclipse?

Today is the day. How is the weather looking to view the eclipse?

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Today is the day. We are excited about the partial solar eclipse here in North Carolina, which starts around 2 p.m. and ends around 4:30 p.m. The peak time for us will be around 3:15 p.m. The question is, will clouds ruin the party? 

The WFMY News 2 Weather Team is tracking the latest forecast. 

Will there be clouds?

Warmer air will be tracking our way today. Often times a warm-up can trigger an increase in cloud cover. This happens because as warm air moves in over cool air condensation can take place, resulting in cloud cover or sometimes precipitation. 

In this case, we are looking at scattered mid-level clouds this afternoon. That means we will need there to be some breaks in the clouds to get a good view of the eclipse. It doesn't need to be sunny for very long to get a good view. The partial solar eclipse for our area will last for about 2 hours, so we have time. 

Bottom line: Scattered clouds are likely on Monday during the eclipse time. Breaks in the clouds should allow for at least some viewing. 

We will continue to monitor the pattern for any changes and adjust the forecast accordingly. 

Credit: WFMY News 2

Things to Know from Tim Buckley

Today is the day! When is the eclipse? How do I see it? Will we have clouds? What if I don’t have glasses? Is it safe? Will WFMY have special coverage? All your questions answered in this quick video.

Posted by Meteorologist Tim Buckley on Monday, April 8, 2024

When is it and what will it look like? 

Here's what the eclipse will look like in the animation below. Some important things to remember: 

  • It will not get dark here in North Carolina. Not enough of the sun will be blocked to dim our light. It will still look like daytime even at the peak. 
  • Solar eclipse glasses are needed the entire time if you look at the sun.
  • The partial eclipse begins at 1:56pm
  • The moon will block 84% of the sun at 3:14pm, this is the peak
  • The sun will return back to normal by 4:28pm 

What's the weather looking like along the path of totality? 

The weather pattern on Monday is far from perfect for the eclipse. Unfortunately, clouds will be an issue for millions of Americans. 

Ironically, the areas that look the sunniest are in New England - which is typically a cloudy part of the country. Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine appear to have a high chance at clear skies on Monday, giving a spectacular view. 

Farther south and west, New York, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky appear to have scattered clouds that may allow for enough breaks to get a decent view of the Eclipse. Similar conditions are likely toward Arkansas where high clouds may obscure the sun but still allow for a view. 

In Texas, cloudy skies are a real concern. 

Remember, the forecast can still change as we get closer. 

Credit: WFMY News 2
Clouds may present problems for the eclipse on Monday across much of the country.

How to view the eclipse safely

Remember, you can only look directly at the sun with approved solar eclipse glasses. It is very unsafe otherwise. If you don't have eclipse glasses, there are a few other ways to see the eclipse indirectly. 

  • Make a pinhole projector. Poking a small hole in a piece of cardboard, holding it at an angle, and viewing the white dot on a surface will reveal a crescent shape. 
  • Looking at shadows underneath a tree. The light in between the leaf shadows will be crescented just like the sun. 
  • Use a pasta strainer, or collander, to project light on a surface. You will see dozens of tiny crescents. 

    

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