4Warn Weather – The 2024 total solar eclipse is now less than a week away, and that means it’s close enough to start talking about the forecast!
The full total solar eclipse will plunge some cities along a narrow path -- known as the path of totality -- into total darkness on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. Most of Michigan is not within the path of totality, though people in the state should see a partial eclipse.
---> There is one place in Michigan where you can see the total solar eclipse
Millions of people are traveling to see the moon pass in front of the sun. And since the sun is the star of the show, without it, the eclipse would be a bust in cities with cloudy skies.
Here is the first official forecast from The National Weather Service in White Lake:
As of early this week, there is a moderate chance that cloud cover will impact viewing in Southeast Michigan.
The track of a storm system lifting out of the Plains will influence sky conditions, as well as bring the potential for showers. For now, the forecast shows partly cloudy skies and temps in the upper 50s for Metro Detroit on April 8.
Outside of Michigan
The news is not so good for Texas up through the Mississippi Valley. The National Weather Service in Dallas is predicting a grim 15% chance for favorable eclipse viewing April 8.
Two computer models are consistently forecasting 100% cloud coverage for Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas during the eclipse. The best place for eclipse weather, so far, is in upstate New York where high pressure dominates.
Historically the trend for cloud cover is exactly the opposite with Texas sunshine and Northeast cloud coverage.
In Southeast Michigan, the weather on April 8 isn’t usually favorable for eclipse viewing. Six times out of 10, it has been cloudy on April 8. Not the best odds.
But a lot can change in a week, so stay tuned!
---> Interactive map shows best time to watch 2024 total solar eclipse