Total Solar Eclipse Weather Forecast: It’s Not Just Clouds, Storms Threaten Eclipse Views

The highly anticipated total solar eclipse is quickly approaching, but a new wrinkle has appeared in the forecast for Monday’s event.

Severe thunderstorms are possible over portions of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, including in the path of totality. These storms could obscure views for some, but are more likely to bring risks for post-eclipse travelers.

Totality, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, will occur along a path more than 100 miles wide from Texas to Maine, passing through cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo, New York.

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Parts of Texas, including Dallas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana are at increased risk for damaging thunderstorms on Monday, especially during the afternoon hours, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Damaging winds, hail, heavy rain, and perhaps a tornado are possible.

Severe thunderstorms typically come to life later in the southern US, after daytime heat peaks, driven by mostly clear skies.

Therefore, the development of any violent storm could be delayed long enough for eclipse watchers in the threat area to get a decent view of the phenomenon during their 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. CDT trip across the region.

A new wrinkle has appeared in the forecast for Monday’s total solar eclipse.

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An estimated 20 million people in the U.S. traveled to another city to view the 2017 total solar eclipse, and there was a significant increase in traffic risks as a result, according to a recent study. Millions more are expected to travel for Monday’s eclipse, as the path of totality will be 40 to 50 miles wider than the 2017 path.

The current cloud forecast is not ideal for other locations in the path of totality.

It’s still too early to say exactly when and where clouds will develop on Monday, but as the event gets closer, you’re starting to get a better idea of overall weather patterns.

Meanwhile, high pressure and mostly clear skies could form over the Northeast and create excellent viewing conditions for totality.

MORE | Everything you need to safely enjoy the eclipse, including solar glasses and more.

Cloud forecasts are still subject to change, as minor differences in how storms or air masses move this week can make a big difference in where clouds develop next week. More accurate cloud cover forecasts with higher levels of confidence should be possible this weekend.

In an interesting twist, the current forecast is almost the opposite of what the historical cloud cover data for April 8 shows.

Years of previous cloud cover data point to the Southern Plains as the region with the best chance for a cloudless viewing experience on April 8, and the Northeast as one of the worst chances.

Will this Mother Nature plot twist pan out? Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the eclipse should keep an eye on the forecast for the coming days.