Clouds Obstructed the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Across North America

Clouds Obstructed the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Across North America (Rewritten)

Remember August 21, 2017? For many of us in North America, it was circled on the calendar for months: “The Great American Eclipse!” It was a big deal – the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in the U.S. since 1918. I mean, who could forget the buzz? Everyone was talking about it. This eclipse was also the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since 1979, making it a truly special event. Millions were ready, but Mother Nature had a few tricks up her sleeve, namely clouds.

The path of totality, that magical 70-mile-wide strip where the moon completely blots out the sun, carved its way across 14 states. Some spots looked promising for clear skies, especially out in the Pacific Northwest. But elsewhere? Well, let’s just say the weather gods weren’t always smiling.

A Weather Rollercoaster

Leading up to the big day, meteorologists were all over the place with their predictions. NOAA had been looking at historical cloud data for August 21 and the coasts seemed to be more susceptible to cloudy conditions. It was a mixed bag, really.

• Pacific Northwest: The word was that a high-pressure ridge was setting up shop over Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming. This meant mostly clear skies for Oregon, which was great news! However, the central Oregon coast had potential marine clouds.
• Intermountain West: This was the place to be if you wanted sunshine. Parts of Idaho and Wyoming were looking like the jackpot for clear skies. Rexburg, Idaho, and Casper, Wyoming, were the names being tossed around as prime viewing spots.
• Central Great Plains: Things got a bit dicey in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. A storm system was threatening to crash the party in northern Nebraska. The forecast suggested that morning clouds and storms might scatter by late morning.
• Midwest: Scattered storms were a concern for areas in Missouri and Kansas within the path of totality.
• Southeast: A weather front was just hanging out in northern Georgia and the Carolinas, threatening scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. The coastal plain was the safest bet for clear skies.

When Clouds Crash the Party

For many, the clouds were a real buzzkill. NOAA, along with some partners, put together this cool “cloudiness map” that showed how likely you were to get a good view. Newport, Oregon, for example, had only a 44% “viewable percentage,” meaning more than half the time, you’d be looking at clouds instead of the sun. Casper, Wyoming, on the other hand, was sitting pretty with an 88% viewability.

And in Minnesota? Oh boy, it was a mess. Clouds, rain, heavy thunderstorms, the whole shebang. While southeastern Minnesota lucked out with a decent view, most of the state was stuck under a blanket of gray.

Science Still Happened!

Even with the clouds, the eclipse wasn’t a total bust. It gave scientists a chance to study how a sudden drop in sunlight affects the weather. The “eclipse cooling effect” was real – temperatures actually dipped! In the Heartland, the mercury fell by 4 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit in the hour before totality. One study in Kentucky even recorded a 4.5°C drop. And get this: some places saw fewer cumulus clouds forming as the sun’s rays faded.

So, the 2017 eclipse was a mixed bag. Millions got to witness something incredible, while others were stuck watching clouds. But even those clouds gave us some cool science to chew on. Maybe next time, the weather will cooperate a little better!