Northeast expected to have some of the best views of the solar eclipse

Deirdre Bardolf
·3 min read
Image of eclipse happening behind statue of liberty, left; eclipse glasses being sold at right
Image of eclipse happening behind statue of liberty, left; eclipse glasses being sold at right

The forecast is looking bright for the moment the skies go dark in the Northeast.

Those hoping to catch a glimpse of Monday’s solar eclipse in New York City are in luck, as the forecast shapes up for the rare event. Storms descending on Texas, however, will likely put a damper on the historic day.

Chances of heavy cloud cover in the Big Apple for Monday dissipated and temperatures will reach just above 60, making for a good afternoon to view the moon as it passes over the sun — 91% of which will be visible from the city around 3:25 p.m.

New York City will be able to see the moon cover 90 percent of the sun at 3:25 p.m. on Monday. Getty Images
New York City will be able to see the moon cover 90 percent of the sun at 3:25 p.m. on Monday. Getty Images

“You really can’t ask for better weather here for this time of year,” said Fox Weather meteorologist Dax Clark.

Instead of spring showers and overcast skies, there will only be about 10% cloud coverage in the five boroughs and some passing clouds near the Great Lakes — though eclipse glasses are needed regardless.

Totality, or the full coverage of the sun, will be visible from Buffalo, where a previously gloomy forecast is also improving. “The trend is your friend if you’re looking to view this in New York,” Clark said.

Previous forecasts for cloudy skies in the Northeast are clearing up for Monday’s eclipse — but safety glasses are needed clouds or no clouds. TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK
Previous forecasts for cloudy skies in the Northeast are clearing up for Monday’s eclipse — but safety glasses are needed clouds or no clouds. TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK
The path of totality for Monday’s eclipse will cut through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Federal Highway Administration
The path of totality for Monday’s eclipse will cut through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Federal Highway Administration

The path of totality also covers parts of the Finger Lakes and the Adirondack Mountains, which fall along the 15-state span reaching from Texas to Maine.

Over 31 million people live within the path, according to NASA, and an additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of it.

“Maine could very well end up being the best place to watch,” said Clark, which is surprising for this time of year for the region. Vermont and New Hampshire will also have stellar views of the spectacle.

Around a million tourists are set to head to Texas to view the eclipse as several counties there fall on the path of totality. AP
Around a million tourists are set to head to Texas to view the eclipse as several counties there fall on the path of totality. AP

Texas, Clark noted, which typically has clearer skies in April, may end up being the worst place to view the eclipse because almost complete cloud coverage is predicted. As the moon crosses the sun, a severe thunderstorm system will roll into the Lone Star state, bringing multi-day storms and flooding.

More than 400,000 people were set to flock to Dallas for the event, and at least 1 million tourists overall were expected to head to the state, which has several counties in the zone of the eclipse totality.

In NYC, the solar sight will give way to even warmer springtime weather, with Tuesday reaching 70 degrees.