Solar eclipse 2024: Clouds could block view in every metro area

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According to forecasters, the solar eclipse on April 8 may not be visible in metropolitan areas across the United States due to cloud cover.

According to meteorologists at AccuWeather Global Weather Center, a warning has been issued for severe weather which may affect the chance to observe the total solar eclipse in most cities along the path of totality.

In the path of totality, the moon will completely obscure the sun for around five minutes.

There is a potential danger of clouds due to an intense thunderstorm that is expected to pass through the western Plains and the Midwest beginning Monday morning.

According to the predictions of Paul Pastelok, an expert in long-term forecasting at the center, the impact of the clouds will vary in different metropolitan areas depending on their altitude levels - some areas may experience more severe effects than others.

The thunderstorm poses the greatest danger of severe damage caused by heavy hailstones and forceful winds.

Pastelok mentioned that it is possible to have a tornado in a specific location. He also warned that big chunks of hail might harm cars, rip tents, and even injure people. Such weather conditions are likely to influence regions nearby Kansas City and Omaha.

According to him, there might be a chance of some sunshine breaking through the clouds in the afternoon, which would be perfect for those viewing from Chicago to Cleveland on Monday.

Experts are estimating that the upcoming solar eclipse will be visible in splendid form from cities such as Kansas City, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.

The most unobstructed skies can be found in the southwest region. Additionally, the mid-Atlantic and Southeast areas are expected to provide great viewing opportunities based on the report's findings.

According to Pastelok, the partial eclipse will be visible with good views in Los Angeles, El Paso, New York City, Boston, and Raleigh from the beginning until the end.

Nevertheless, journeys could face hindrances caused by forceful horizontal gusts of air along the primary thoroughfares, specifically Interstate 80 and Interstate 40.

The forecaster cautioned that it's important to fasten any materials that are not tightly attached, such as tents and objects on top of cars or campers. In the upcoming weekend, there may be heavy snowfall, with blizzard conditions expected in the central and eastern mountains of Wyoming and Montana. Driving through this area will be treacherous due to the snowfall and decreased visibility caused by the weather conditions.

Besides the clouds, people in east Texas and lower Mississippi valley need to be careful of heavy thunderstorms and rain. These conditions may move towards southern Oklahoma by Monday night. West-central Texas may also face consequences such as sudden flooding, hail, and strong wind gusts caused by these storms.

Following the eclipse, Pastelok mentioned that there's a possibility of tornado in some sections of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. This statement was made by Pastelok.

The duration of the eclipse for this year is four minutes and 28 seconds, which is twice as long as the last solar eclipse in 2017. During this period, the moon will be in a perfect alignment between the Earth and the sun, resulting in a darkened sky.

The solar eclipse is going over a section with more people compared to the last time it happened seven years ago. It is scheduled to begin on the Pacific shoreline of Mexico, then move upward and towards the east to Texas and Oklahoma, finally reaching the north direction towards New England before it vanishes in Canada.

It is believed that around 44 million individuals will be located in the 115-mile-wide area of totality spanning from Mexico to Canada, with roughly 32 million of them residing in the United States.

Discover all the essential details concerning this year's phenomenon of an eclipse, as well as optimal methods for observing it without harm.