As anticipation builds for the upcoming partial solar eclipse in western North Carolina on April 8th, eclipse enthusiasts are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast to ensure optimal viewing conditions. Here’s what meteorologists and researchers are predicting for this celestial spectacle and some tips for making the most of your viewing experience.
Mixed Signals in the Forecast: The weather forecast for western NC during the eclipse is giving mixed signals, with the potential for scattered clouds that could impact viewing conditions. According to meteorologist Ray Russell, there is confidence that it will be dry on April 8th, but scattered clouds are predicted. However, predicting sky conditions this far in advance is always risky.
Precipitation Outlook: The National Weather Service’s 8-14 day precipitation outlook indicates near-normal precipitation levels for Asheville between April 5th and 11th. The Weather Channel’s 10-day forecast for Asheville and Hendersonville calls for a mix of sunshine and clouds on the eclipse day, with a 13% chance of rain in Asheville and a slightly higher 17% chance in Hendersonville.
Cloud Cover Predictions: Researchers from NOAA and the NC Institute for Climate Studies have reviewed historical cloud data to predict eclipse viewing conditions. Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone, Mars Hill, and Sylva all have a 66.3% chance of clear skies during the eclipse, while Bryson City and Franklin have a slightly lower 55.5% chance.
Eclipse Timing and Coverage: For western NC, the partial solar eclipse is predicted to begin around 1:50 PM and last until a little after 4:20 PM on April 8th. The region will experience around 85% coverage of the sun during the peak eclipse time of 3:09 PM.
Optimizing Your Viewing Experience: While scattered clouds may be a concern, the forecasts suggest that western NC has a decent chance of experiencing clear viewing periods for this highly anticipated event. Although Asheville is not in the path of totality, the metro area will still experience around 85% coverage, making it a prime location for eclipse viewing. A large majority of Yonder Luxury Vacation Rentals have large open decks with great sky views.
In addition, close to Several events are planned at locations such as the NC Arboretum, Highland Brewing, and Turgua Brewing Co., offering opportunities for the community to come together and witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon. If you’d like to track the eclipse, click here.
