The Met Office forecast predicts clear skies across the North East on August 12, providing ideal conditions to view the near-total solar eclipse, the first of its magnitude in the UK since 1999. The eclipse will begin just after 6pm.
Clear Skies and Warm Temperatures
With clear skies expected all day and night, the region will enjoy one of the best opportunities to observe the celestial event, free from light pollution. Temperatures are set to reach nearly 30°C, making it a perfect day to head outdoors, perhaps to spots like Kielder, to enjoy the sunshine and the eclipse.
Perseid Meteor Shower on the Same Night
August 12 also marks the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower, allowing stargazers to transition from watching the eclipse to meteor-watching after sunset. The best time to see the Perseids is between midnight and 5:30am, with up to 150 meteors per hour expected in some areas, though the North East may see closer to 40-50 per hour.
Detailed Forecasts for North East Locations
Here are the full Met Office forecasts for key areas in the North East on Wednesday, August 12. Forecasts may change closer to the time.
Newcastle Upon Tyne
- 12am: 18°, clear, <5% rain, 8mph wind
- 1am: 18°, clear, <5% rain, 8mph wind
- 4am: 16°, clear, <5% rain, 9mph wind
- 7am: 17°, clear, <5% rain, 8mph wind
- 10am: 21°, clear, <5% rain, 9mph wind
- 1pm: 27°, clear, 10% rain, 11mph wind
- 4pm: 28°, clear, <5% rain, 11mph wind
- 7pm: 26°, clear, 10% rain, 8mph wind
- 10pm: 21°, clear, 10% rain, 8mph wind
Durham
- 12am: 17°, clear, <5% rain, 8mph wind
- 1am: 16°, clear, <5% rain, 8mph wind
- 4am: 16°, clear, <5% rain, 9mph wind
- 7am: 16°, clear, <5% rain, 9mph wind
- 10am: 20°, clear, <5% rain, 9mph wind
- 1pm: 26°, clear, 10% rain, 10mph wind
- 4pm: 28°, clear, <5% rain, 10mph wind
- 7pm: 27°, clear, 10% rain, 9mph wind
- 10pm: 21°, clear, 10% rain, 8mph wind
Morpeth
- 12am: 17°, clear, <5% rain, 7mph wind
- 1am: 17°, clear, <5% rain, 7mph wind
- 4am: 16°, clear, <5% rain, 8mph wind
- 7am: 17°, clear, <5% rain, 7mph wind
- 10am: 21°, clear, <5% rain, 9mph wind
- 1pm: 25°, clear, 10% rain, 11mph wind
- 4pm: 26°, clear, <5% rain, 11mph wind
- 7pm: 24°, clear, 10% rain, 9mph wind
- 10pm: 20°, clear, 10% rain, 9mph wind
It is well worth taking the time on Wednesday evening to see the eclipse, as the next total eclipse visible from mainland Britain isn't until September 23, 2090.
