Clouds expected on the day of the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th
The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in San Angelo has the possibility of clouds for the time of the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, which totality begins at 1:35 pm and lasts only 3 minutes and 47 seconds. Before and after that time, a partial eclipse will occur.
In addition, there is a slight chance of rain during and after the eclipse with a better chance of rain, mainly from showers and thunderstorms, Monday night.
Temperatures will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s during the totality of the eclipse.
The big question is how much cloud cover will there be at that time and what type of clouds will provide that cloud cover.
Currently, we are expecting 70 percent cloud cover at that time, but that forecast can change depending on the timing of a cold front that will move through the Hill Country Saturday night but will return across the area Monday as a warm front.
The warm front will bring back moisture to the Hill Country, and we will likely see clouds increase as a result of the increase in moisture.
The other question is what type of clouds will develop with the return of moisture along and behind the warm front.
If it is mostly high clouds, then the viewability is better compared to lower clouds which tend to be thicker than high clouds. Experiencing the total eclipse where it gets dark during the day is going to happen whether there are clouds or not, maybe even darker since the clouds will already be blocking some sunlight.
For those wanting to get a good view of the eclipse or good pictures, unfortunately the clouds will not help with that.
We will continue to update the forecast this weekend for Monday and we will provide a more detailed forecast for the weather expected during the totality of the solar eclipse Monday afternoon.
Mike Castillo, Warning Coordination Meteorologist / National Weather Service / WFO San Angelo, Texas