Will it rain in Wilmington during the solar eclipse? Here's an early weather forecast

Molly Wilhelm, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read

Grab your solar viewing glasses -- a total eclipse will be visible from 13 states across the country on April 8, with a partial eclipse visible in Wilmington.

But are blue skies expected for this cosmic event? While detailed Wilmington weather predictions from the National Weather Service likely won't be available until 3-5 days out from the eclipse, The Weather Channel provides some insight into the upcoming forecast for the local area.

As of Friday, Wilmington is expected to be 72 degrees with mostly sunny skies during the day on April 8, according to The Weather Channel. Humidity is expected to be approximately 53%, with a 6% chance of rain. Wind gusts heading Northeast are predicted to be between 5 to 10 mph, with a UV Index rating of 8.

While it's still too early to accurately predict the upcoming weather, historical data for Wilmington suggests that residents might be able to hold out hope for favorable conditions on the day of the eclipse.

More: What time is the total solar eclipse in Wilmington? Find out here with your ZIP code

More: Where to watch the 2024 solar eclipse in Wilmington and beyond

What is the historical weather in Wilmington on April 8?

The National Weather Service maintains records and averages for Wilmington weather throughout history.

The following data details weather in Wilmington on April 8, averaged from weather recorded between 1991-2020. The record high and low temperatures are pulled from 1874 until present.

  • Record high temperature: 89 degrees (1999)

  • Record low temperature: 29 degrees (2007)

  • Average high temperature: 72.6 degrees

  • Average low temperature: 50.4 degrees

  • Mean temperature: 61.5 degrees

  • Average precipitation: 0.10 inches

What was Wilmington weather like on April 8 last year?

The National Weather Service provides the following data pertaining to the weather conditions in Wilmington on April 8, 2023.

  • Maximum temperature: 53 degrees

  • Minimum temperature: 46 degrees

  • Average temperature: 49.5 degrees

  • Precipitation: 1.71 inches

What time is the eclipse? How long will it last? What will it look like?

Using the USA Today ZIP Code tool, you can find more information on the time, duration, and percent of coverage that will occur in your area during the solar eclipse. The eclipse is expected to begin in Wilmington, N.C., at 1:58 p.m.

Can't view our graphic? Search for your zip code to get a complete eclipse viewing guide.

What is the path for the 2024 solar eclipse in North Carolina? See interactive map

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Will it rain in Wilmington during the solar eclipse? An early forecast