Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024 weather prospects

[Mark Egan]

Meteorologist Jay Anderson has released his weather prospects for the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024:

Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024 | Eclipsophile

Eclipsophile.com presents climate studies of cloud cover and weather along the tracks of upcoming solar eclipses in order to help select viewing locations and travel destinations. Cloud-cover maps and weather statistics are also available for popular aurora-observing sites globally.

eclipsophile.com

Good for planning, or just for interesting reading.

Weather prospects aren’t the only factor that should be used in choosing an eclipse viewing region, but it’s a good place to start.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I'm in southern Illinois. As you might now, we had a great view of it last time. I was in the Shawnee National Forest where there was no cloud coverage at all.

Hoping to be able to be in that situation again this next time!

 

[JamesCaruso]

@Mark Egan thanks for posting this. After I had my first-ever experience of totality (near Torrington WY) in 2017, I knew I wanted to see the 2024 eclipse and be better prepared for it (mainly by making hotel reservations before all the rooms in the path of totality get taken up). At the time, 7 years seemed so far away, and now it’s almost impossible to believe we are more than halfway there! Thanks for the reminder that it’s time to start planning. As I look at the path and all of the options, it’s obvious that climatological considerations are huge. Of course, anything can happen, but picking a general area with the best climatological probabilities for clear skies is about all we can do. I haven’t read the article yet, but I am sure it will be a big help. I will probability make hotel reservations in a few areas, I can always cancel a few days ahead of time if needed. Other considerations for me are staying away from large metropolitan areas, and choosing a part of the country that I haven’t seen before or that I want my family to experience. Not intending to make more than a few days‘ trip out of it, given that I (hopefully) will be using the vacation time for storm chasing the very next month, and the kids are still in school in April anyway.

 

[Mark Egan]

@JamesCaruso What do you know? I was close to the centerline north of Torrington! I had chosen that area because climate data suggested that skies were typically clear there in mid to late August, it had a good road network going east and west along the totality path, and it was a short drive away from the Rocky Mountains (I went on a beautiful 10 mile hike in RMNP several days before the eclipse)

Since I live in the totality path for 2024, there’s no reason to fly or drive somewhere (other than perhaps getting a bit closer to the centerline or needing to escape from clouds)

Jay Anderson is very good and detailed at what he does (you’ll see that when you read this guide). I’m hoping he’s teaching someone his skills to take over when he retires!

 

[Jeff Duda]

The only meteorological concerns you can address at this point aren't meteorological - they are climatological. We won't have a good idea of the sky cover until a week or so before the eclipse at best, and a few hours beforehand at worst.

No matter where you choose to setup for this, you need to have several backup plans in case clouds interrupt your primary spot. Give yourself a few hours to adjust as C2 approaches.

 

[Jeff Wright]

Now to look at the corona, through a bottle of corona, with a mask to protect you from corona…that and watch for those fake mass produced glasses…or so I heard tell.

 

[Sean Mullen]

Just want to put this up on people's radar again.
Eclipse is about 10 months away.

Interactive map of path of totality:

Mexico - USA - 2024 April 8 Total Solar Eclipse - Interactive Google Map - Xavier Jubier

2024 April 8 Total Solar Eclipse in Mexico, the USA or Canada by Xavier Jubier

xjubier.free.fr

We will be in Daylight Savings Time on April 8.

Book hotels soon. They've learned from the 2017 eclipse.
$649 Waco TX Econolodge 4/7-4/9
$68 Waco TX Econolodge 4/14-4/16

$796 Quality Inn and Suites downtown Evansville 4/7-4/9
$68 Quality Inn and Suites downtown Evansville 4/14-4/16

$844 Comfort Inn and Suites North Little Rock McCain Mall 4/7-4/9
$109 Comfort Inn and Suites North Little Rock McCain Mall 4/14-4/16.

Not all are this extreme, but many are, and many are already sold out.

Mark, my brother and I were about 200 yards south of the centerline on 85 north of Lingle. Amazing experience.

Sean

 

[JamesCaruso]

Making eclipse plans has been on my to-do list for a long time, but I procrastinated anyway. Finally booked hotel rooms last night.

Booked in three different places. Yeah I’ll end up wasting some money but this is a once in a lifetime thing (well, twice in a lifetime, since I saw totality in 2017…) Plan is to fly into Dallas on April 6th and stay there. Then on the 7th I have the room in Dallas, as well as one to the northeast in AR and to the SW in TX. If the weather forecast is clear cut, I’ll reposition on the 7th. If it’s uncertain, I’ll stay in Dallas on the 7th and reposition on the morning of the 8th (not ideal because of traffic). Or maybe it will turn out there are clear skies near Dallas and I don’t have to drive too far (but do want to get away from the urban areas; maybe go up into southeast OK).

Still seem to be plenty of hotel rooms in TX, but Little Rock and Hot Springs AR seem to be pretty much sold out! If you want to do this, don’t delay!

Also, order your eclipse glasses! In 2017 there were counterfeit products being sold on Amazon that could damage your eyes. The American Astronomical Society has a list of reputable vendors here:

Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters

eclipse.aas.org

 

[Mark Gressman Jr]

I thought about making plans for this, but decided to focus my efforts for the one in 2027, as that has a much longer length of totality.... plus a vacation to Morocco will help ease the pain of possible cloud cover, lol. Still might look at taking an overnight trip to NW NY if the weather cooperates. Everyone's reports here on this forum of the event in 2017 has peaked my interest more than I would've expected, and now have made it a priority to see one in my lifetime.

 

[JamesCaruso]

I thought about making plans for this, but decided to focus my efforts for the one in 2027, as that has a much longer length of totality.... plus a vacation to Morocco will help ease the pain of possible cloud cover, lol. Still might look at taking an overnight trip to NW NY if the weather cooperates. Everyone's reports here on this forum of the event in 2017 has peaked my interest more than I would've expected, and now have made it a priority to see one in my lifetime.

I can tell you, the solar eclipse in 2017 was one of the most awe-inspiring and magical moments of my life. I definitely recommend it. Seeing one in the US is definitely easier and cheaper than Morocco!

 

[Jeff Duda]

Making eclipse plans has been on my to-do list for a long time, but I procrastinated anyway. Finally booked hotel rooms last night.

Booked in three different places. Yeah I’ll end up wasting some money but this is a once in a lifetime thing (well, twice in a lifetime, since I saw totality in 2017…) Plan is to fly into Dallas on April 6th and stay there. Then on the 7th I have the room in Dallas, as well as one to the northeast in AR and to the SW in TX. If the weather forecast is clear cut, I’ll reposition on the 7th. If it’s uncertain, I’ll stay in Dallas on the 7th and reposition on the morning of the 8th (not ideal because of traffic). Or maybe it will turn out there are clear skies near Dallas and I don’t have to drive too far (but do want to get away from the urban areas; maybe go up into southeast OK).

Still seem to be plenty of hotel rooms in TX, but Little Rock and Hot Springs AR seem to be pretty much sold out! If you want to do this, don’t delay!

I'm beyond surprised you were able to find rooms anywhere near the path of totality. I reserved a hotel room in the San Antonio area in April and even back then there was next to nothing left (unless you were willing to spend $500+).

 

[Todd Lemery]

Had the opportunity to see a full eclipse in 1979 and never forgot how eerily awesome it was. I probably won’t have to move much for the next one either. If anyone wonders if it’s worth the effort to get in position, you’ll never forget it. The only one I saw was long time ago and it’s burned into my memory.

 

[Jeff Lieberman]

I thought about making plans for this, but decided to focus my efforts for the one in 2027, as that has a much longer length of totality.... plus a vacation to Morocco will help ease the pain of possible cloud cover, lol.

Don't wait until 2027. I went to Columbia, SC for the 2017 eclipse, and it was an incredible, unforgettable experience, even though totality only lasted 2 1/2 minutes. Totality next year will be much longer -- up to 4 minutes, 27 seconds.

 

[Mark Gressman Jr]

@Jeff Lieberman - Everyone's points are well taken, and I'd love to see next year's event, but my vacation for 2024 is already set. Even if I could get someone to swap vacation days, I also have a Caribbean vacation tentatively set for 2 weeks prior to the eclipse which coincides with my wife's birthday, so that's probably a non starter, lol.

My reasoning for 2027 is 2 fold.... The length of totality is something like 8 mins, and I'd be able to appease the "boss" with an exotic vacation to the Mediterranean. Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, we'll still be able to enjoy our time off.

I definitely plan on keeping a close eye on my work schedule and weather leading up to next year. Even though accommodations are likely to be booked solid, I'm not ruling out an overnight trip and sleeping in the car. Best of luck to everyone making plans, and I hope everything works out for ya!

 

[Dan Robinson]

The article linked in the original post is a great summary of the cloud situation. I am more concerned about clouds for this eclipse that I was for the 2017 one. With the usual expansive summertime high pressure at mid-latitudes, August was probably at or near the minimum in average cloud cover for the CONUS at midday. But in early April, we'll be more likely to have some portion of a jet overhead which almost always has some form of problematic cloud cover. I think a reposition/backup location(s) for clear skies may be a much more important planning consideration for this one.

As was the case with the 2017 eclipse, my friends, family and coworker circles are largely disinterested in this one and most aren't planning to go see it (even though it is, once again, in our backyard here). So, like 2017, I think a morning-of reposition won't have any traffic issues to contend with.