Daytona Beach weather update for Great American Eclipse: Will clouds block the view?
With only a few hours remaining in the highly anticipated countdown to Monday’s Great American Eclipse, the weather forecast for viewing it during a window from 1:47 p.m. to 4:17 p.m. in Volusia and Flagler counties doesn’t look as promising as sky-gazers might hope, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
While Florida isn't in the path of totality for today's eclipse, residents statewide will be able to see a partial eclipse — if those clouds don't block the view.
Today's forecast calls for partly sunny skies, according to the latest update on Monday morning.
What’s the latest eclipse forecast from the National Weather Service?
Viewing of the historic event in Volusia and Flagler counties likely will be potentially affected by some cloud cover, according to NWS meteorologists.
“We have kind of a steady stream of high clouds this morning,” said Brendan Schaper, a meteorologist with the NWS in Melbourne. “According to the latest observation, it looks like we’ve got a few mid-level clouds, mainly scattered cirrus, in the upper level that will continue for some time into the early afternoon, at least.”
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In Volusia and Flagler, residents will have the chance to see a partial eclipse for about 2 hours 30 minutes, from about 1:47 p.m. to 4:17 p.m., with 58.8% of the sun expected to be obscured by the moon at the peak, just after 3 p.m.
“According to the latest observation, between 3 and 4 p.m., we’re looking at a 40-50%, maybe even 60% cloud cover for a time by mid-afternoon,” Schaper said. “That forecast looks to be pretty much on track. For viewing, it depends on if we can get some breaks in the high clouds.”
The cloud cover will be a mix of cirrus and cumulus clouds, Schaper said.
“Think of cirrus as kind of a thin blanket,” he said. “You may be able to see through it at times, or you may not, depending on how thick sections of it are. Cumulus clouds are thicker, more scattered out. Cirrus will be the main factor in seeing it or not seeing it today.”
National Weather Service Florida forecast for Monday, April 8, 2024, solar eclipse
What’s the statewide eclipse forecast from the NWS?
Here's the forecast for Florida as of Monday morning from the National Weather Service.
Panhandle: "It does look like we'll have some high-level clouds streaming across the region, but there will probably be breaks in the clouds," said Rudy Dicarlo, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Mobile. The thin cirrus clouds should allow residents to see parts of the eclipse.
Northeast Florida: "There should be 50% cloud coverage at the time of eclipse today, but they'll be some thin cirrus clouds, which shouldn't obscure the eclipse," said Ben Nelson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Jacksonville. "There is a slight chance of lower-level clouds moving in. If you want to slip over the border into Georgia, less cloud coverage is expected there, Nelson said.
East Coast, Central Florida: "We're expecting a band of high clouds to move into northern half of our coverage area, roughly extending from Tampa/Vero Beach north through Daytona Beach," according to Jared Heil, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Melbourne. "There will be breaks and the clouds will be thin enough to see the eclipse. There will be periods to catch glimpses of the eclipse but it will be hit and miss, especially if slightly thicker clouds" are overhead at the peak time of the eclipse in mid afternoon. "The Treasure Coast and Okeechobee will be brighter, with fewer high clouds, but some puffy, cumulus clouds could move in from the Atlantic, especially along the coast."
South Florida: The best view will be along the west coast, with scattered cloud cover expected along the east coast today, according to Will Redman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Miami. "A lot of people are going to be able to see something, but it will be hard to see much on the east coast, Redman said. "It's still worth a try since it comes so infrequently."
Southwest Florida: In Southwest Florida, there weren't any clouds at 7 a.m., but some high, cirrus clouds could move in by the time of the eclipse this afternoon. "Viewing should be OK," said Paul Close, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, who added there would be more clouds the farther north you go in the state.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach, Volusia, Flagler eclipse weather forecast
