Clear skies expected across western Europe for Wednesday’s total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will sweep across parts of the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday, August 12, with the path of totality crossing Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. Across a much wider region — including parts of the northern United States, most of Canada, and much of Europe — viewers will see a partial eclipse, though weather conditions will determine who gets a clear view.science.nasa+1

UK and European Outlook

The eclipse arrives during a blistering heat wave across western Europe, and the silver lining of that heat is largely clear skies. The Met Office forecasts that many areas of the UK will enjoy favorable conditions around the eclipse's peak, expected between approximately 7:05 PM and 7:13 PM BST. Southern England is predicted to have the clearest visibility, while Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of northern England may contend with cloud cover.weather+1

Across the continent, conditions look promising for the countries where the eclipse will be most dramatic. Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and much of Poland are expected to see clear skies. Iceland, which sits along the path of totality and will experience up to two minutes and 18 seconds of darkness, faces a cloudier forecast.wikipedia+1

North American Viewing Conditions

In the United States, where only a partial eclipse will be visible, the Northern Plains, most of New England, and northern Alaska are expected to have the best viewing weather. Parts of the mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes region, and eastern Canada may see cloudier conditions. U.S. cities with the greatest solar coverage include Fairbanks, Alaska, at 37 percent; Anchorage at 28 percent; and Bangor, Maine, at 24 percent.usatoday+2

NASA plans to begin live coverage at 1:15 PM EDT, with totality reaching Iceland at 1:45 PM EDT and Spain at 2:28 PM EDT. The broadcast will include telescope views from across the eclipse path and footage from a high-altitude research aircraft.accuweather

Safety Reminders

Professor Jim Wild, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, urged viewers to take precautions: "Always use proper solar viewing equipment when looking at the Sun. Certified eclipse glasses, specially designed solar filters for telescopes and binoculars, or indirect viewing methods like pinhole projectors are all safe ways to witness the event". Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.manchestereveningnews+1