New Forecasts Show “Severe Storms” Could Strike These Regions During Monday’s Total Solar Eclipse
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With the total solar eclipse less than a week away, the tens of millions of people expecting to take in the event are beginning to see if their hard planning will pay off as weather information begins to come in. After all, there’s always the chance that it could end up being cloudy someplace, despite what the long-term odds predict. But now, more accurate forecasts are available—and it appears that some regions could get hit with “severe storms” during Monday’s total solar eclipse. Read on to see how the weather could play out and if your arrangements will be affected.
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No one likes the idea of bad weather ruining important plans. But if you’re one of the many looking forward to witnessing the last solar eclipse visible in the U.S. for roughly two decades, you might be in store for some extra disappointment.
New forecasts show that conditions are in place for scattered thunderstorms to develop in parts of the Plains States and the South on Monday right along the path of totality , Fox Weather reports. Data currently shows an area covering southern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and a large portion of northeastern Texas with “possible” or “likely” outcomes of “severe storms” on Monday.
Ironically, much of the area that could get rained out—including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a major tourist destination and gathering place for the event—was originally slated to be one of the safest bets for avoiding bad conditions during the solar eclipse out of anywhere in the U.S.
“This is something that people from all over the world travel to see,” Stephen Morgan , a meteorologist with Fox Weather, said during an update. “And if you go based on climatological norms—20-to-30-year averages—Texas is the hot spot to be because that is where normally cloud cover is the least [along the path].”
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Though incoming weather data now paints the possibility of a stormy day, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all hope is lost. There’s still a chance that the approaching low-pressure system might hold off until the afternoon, potentially missing the 12:23 p.m. start of the partial eclipse and the 1:40 p.m. beginning of the four minutes of totality, per Fox Weather.
But experts are still warning that visibility may drop even before thunderstorms and severe weather arrive.
“This is quite a window for folks living in Dallas [and] for folks traveling to Dallas—and all you need is that four-minute window when you don’t have the clouds in front,” Morgan explained. “And how many days have you seen where clouds develop, and you still have the sun—a mix of sun and clouds? So I’m going for that perfect forecast.”
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The approaching date also means that other places along the path of totality now have a better idea of what their conditions will be. And unfortunately, some cities might be in for less-than-ideal viewing weather.
Forecasts now show that eastern Texas and southern Arkansas face a high risk of cloud cover on Monday, according to AccuWeather. Moving north, a moderate chance of cover is predicted in Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee—as well as in Indiana and Ohio, which are squarely in the path of totality.
Western Pennsylvania and western New York—including Rochester and Buffalo—are also more likely to have cloud cover. However, only moderate chance of coverage is forecast for eastern New York, while low cloud risk is expected in Vermont and Maine. This twist of irony puts some of the historically worst places for cloud cover at a slight advantage if the forecast holds.
Outside the path of totality, southern Florida, the central Midwest, the northern Plain States, parts of the Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest coast also have a high risk of cloud cover. Meanwhile, the Eastern Seaboard is forecast to have low risk.
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After months of planning for the eclipse, you may be dismayed by the possibility of the elements foiling the view. But even in non-sunny conditions, it’s likely to be quite a spectacle .
“Clouds are actually fun,” Seth McGowan , president of the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory in Tupper Lake, New York, told North Country Public Radio (NCPR). “During an eclipse, the changes in the atmosphere are so severe that oftentimes it results in thunder and lightning, or hail, even. It still gets pitch dark, but you get these amazing colors around the horizon, so the only element that’s missing during a total eclipse under clouds is the actual visual of the corona. I will say that there’s nothing that can beat that.”
And whatever the forecasts might say, McGowan says it’s certainly not worth ditching the experience.
“Just because you think it’s going to be cloudy where you’re headed, don’t not go,” he told NCPR. “Don’t stay inside, because the experience is equal, just in different ways. You may not see the corona, but you’re going to have an experience that you just wouldn’t have anywhere else or in any other way. The clouds would be unwelcome, but we’d make our peace with it because the trade-off is equally mystifying.”
8 Best Destinations for the Next (and Rare) Total Solar Eclipse
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The chance to witness a total solar eclipse is rare enough that it remains a bucket list item for many people. After all, these events require a combination of being in the right place at the right time and having the correct conditions to actually see them. Since the next eclipse will be the last visible from North America until 2044 , many are making plans well ahead of the event on Apr. 8, 2024, to secure front-row seats.
The hype has created a mad dash for accommodations in locations along the path of totality , which will start in Texas and run across 13 states through Maine, according to NASA. In some places, basic hotel rooms are going for five to seven times their typical rates—including some listed well above $1,000 for a night, The New York Times reports.
The pinch is even being felt in the short-term home rental market, with some avid eclipse chasers saying supply has been dwindling even months in advance. Others reported finding decent rates, only to have hosts cancel their reservations and demand a higher price point for the occasion, The Times reports.
Some experts have recommended finding lodging within an hour’s drive of the path of totality to avoid a price crunch. But others still warn that the expected crowds will likely bring traffic jams along with them on the big day.
“It’s a little bit like going to a big sporting event where people take their time getting in but everybody wants to leave at the same time,” Scott Katsinas , a travel adviser at Katsinas Travel Consultants in Arizona, told The Times .
But even as accommodations run thin in some places, there’s still hope for those who want to experience the event for themselves. Local tourism boards have collected resources for eclipse chasers with options along the path of totality for the big day. Read on for the best destinations for watching the next total solar eclipse in 2024.
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If you’re looking to get a head start on eclipse viewing, Dallas is likely your best bet. The Texas metropolis is not only the largest city in the path of totality but also the first major U.S. destination to experience the event as partial coverage begins at 12:23 p.m. CDT, according to the Perot Museum.
Besides the city’s ample hotel rooms, there are other perks to picking the Lone Star State for catching the eclipse: Experts point out that it’s the place that’s statistically most likely to have clear weather in April when the event occurs, according to travel news outlet The Points Guy.
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If you want to get the most out of your eclipse experience, Indianapolis may be one of your better options. The Indiana capital is near the center of the path of totality, creating a full coverage time of three minutes and 46 seconds, according to the local tourism board. The city will also host NASA at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, providing experts to answer questions and host a live broadcast of the event.
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Lake Placid may have the rare distinction of having hosted the Winter Olympics twice, but 2024 will mark the first time in recorded history the Adirondack locale will experience a total eclipse. The town is planning to welcome visitors with activities and events throughout the Olympic Legacy Sites, providing the opportunity to take in the rare event while surrounded by the region’s famous natural beauty.
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Those still searching for a spot to catch the eclipse might want to consider Cleveland . The Ohio city is near the center of the path of totality and will experience full coverage for nearly four minutes on Apr. 8, according to the city’s tourism board. Visitors can also look forward to locally hosted events and festivities marking the occasion.
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Arkansas provides another chance to combine natural beauty with the total solar eclipse. Little Rock is just one of the cities in the state with hotel rooms and accommodations to handle the crowds, with the partial eclipse beginning on the earlier side for the U.S. at 12:33 p.m. CDT and finishing at 3:11 p.m., according to NASA.
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The U.S. isn’t the only country that will be able to glimpse the eclipse next April: Mexico and Canada will also be on the path of totality. Montreal stands out among these international options for its easy access by flights, ample number of hotel rooms and lodging options, and plenty to see and experience outside of the eclipse itself.
According to the Canadian Space Agency, visitors in the Quebec locale can expect to see full coverage for one minute and 28 seconds, which marks the last time the province will see one until 2106.
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The Green Mountain state provides plenty of reasons to visit year-round, but the 2024 eclipse is a compelling addition to the list. The event marks the first time Vermont has experienced totality since 1932 , according to the state’s tourism board. Those staying in Burlington can expect full sun coverage for about three minutes and will have access to hotels and other lodging in the area.
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If you’re looking to be among the last in the U.S. to catch sight of the last eclipse until 2044, picking Maine as your viewing locale is the only option. The path of totality crosses the northern half of the state, with full coverage beginning in the small town of Caribou at 3:32 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. After that, the eclipse will pass through the Canadian maritime provinces before ending its traverse of North America and finishing over the Atlantic Ocean.
