“It’s April—it’s going to be cloudy. What’s the point in making an effort?” I’ve read this sentiment across social media for years about Monday, April 8, 2024—the date of North America’s total solar eclipse.
It’s true it might be cloudy in many areas of the U.S. It’s even true that in some areas of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada it’s more likely than not to be cloudy on eclipse day.
But it’s also true that last year it was clear almost everywhere along the path of totality on April 8 except in Texas—the favored destination for clear sky-chasers for this eclipse. Look at this loop of satelitte images for April 8 between 1979 to 2023 and you’ll see that it’s impossible to predict.
Taking Your Chances
Nobody knows if it’s actually going to be cloudy on eclipse day, but there is something you have to remember when thinking about the weather. “It’s better to stand in the moon’s shadow in the rain than to stand outside the moon’s shadow on a sunny day,” said Dr. Rick Feinberg, Project Manager, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force at the American Astronomical Society, in an interview. To put it another way—if you choose not to travel to the path of totality you have a 0% chance of experiencing a total solar eclipse.
The answer, of course, is to plan like it’s going to be cloudy and have a Plan B, C and D—if you can—to get under clear skies on April 8.
Here’s everything you need to know about the total solar eclipse, weather and clouds—and how they will interact to change your experience:
NOTE: This article only applies to those that are in the path of totality, which is set out in this map (below). If you’re not within the path of totality (which you can check on this interactive map, this eclipse simulator and in this eclipse look-up then you’ll see (or not see, if it’s cloudy) just a partial solar eclipse, which requires solar safety glasses at all times and is not rare or unusual.
Eclipse: What You Will Miss If It’s Cloudy
- No view of the sun’s corona.
- No “360-degree sunset” view.
“I’ve been clouded out a couple of times and yeah, sure, it’s disappointing, but the the only things you miss if you’re clouded out, rained out or snowed out is the spectacular view,” said Feinberg. “You don’t see the sunset colors and you don’t see the sun’s corona.”
What A Cloudy Eclipse Cannot Change
- Drops in temperature and brightness.
- Darkness in the day during totality (and, actually, a much darker totality).
- Odd animal behavior.
Whatever the weather, the eclipse will still happen. If you’re inside the path of totality then the moon’s dark shadow will pass across you. “The atmospheric changes are still going to happen,” said Feinberg. “It’s still going to get cold in the day and it’s still going to get dark really, really fast.” Sure, you’ll lose the dramatic change from bright sunshine to darkness, but the change in brightness is going to happen—it’s going to gradually get gloomy then, seconds before totality, the light levels will crash. It will also get much darker during totality under cloud then it will for those under clear skies.
Since animals don’t look at the sun, their behavior—regulated by light levels—may still be affected under cloudy skies. “If there are animals out and about—birds, insects, farm animals—they’re going to behave as if it’s sunset.”
How To Avoid Clouds On Eclipse Day
The maximize your chances of a clear sky, the climate statistics suggest that you should go to Mexico. Practically speaking, you should also stay mobile on eclipse day, paying attention to weather forecasts in the days just before April 8 and reacting accordingly.
So if it is cloudy where you are on April 8 and there’s not much you can do about it—or you try to drive into a clear spot, but fail—just remember to enjoy the experience. “For 30 years I’ve wanted to watch this eclipse from my house, so that’s what I’m going to do, whatever the weather,” said Dan McGlaun, an eclipse expert at Eclipse 2024, which has an interactive map and eclipse simulator, in an interview. “We only get what life gives us and we play the hand that we’re dealt—the world does its own thing and that’s the story that you come away with.”
I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.