Britons hoping to witness Wednesday's solar eclipse may have their view blocked by cloud, according to the latest weather forecasts. The rare event on August 12 will see more than 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon across much of the UK, with the eclipse peaking shortly after 7pm.
Cloud Forecast for Eclipse Viewing
The Met Office cloud forecast for 7pm shows extensive cloud across much of Scotland, with cloud also affecting Northern Ireland and parts of northern England at the crucial viewing time. Conditions appear considerably clearer across much of southern England and Wales, including areas around London, Cardiff and Plymouth.
The GFS weather model also singles out Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham and Lincolnshire as areas that could face particularly cloudy conditions, with 80% to 100% cloud cover projected for 7pm. The GFS forecast suggests Northern Ireland and most of Scotland could also see cloud levels of between 80% and 100%, although clearer skies may develop in the far north of Scotland.
Eclipse Timing and Rarity
The eclipse is expected to begin at around 6pm and finish at around 8pm, although the exact timings depend on location. Wednesday's spectacle will be the first time since 1999 that people in the UK and Ireland have been able to see between 90% and 96% of the Sun obscured by the Moon. Another opportunity on this scale is not expected until 2081.
But even those underneath cloud may still experience some of the dramatic effects of the eclipse. Patricia Reiff, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University who has witnessed 20 eclipses, previously told Time Magazine: "If you are under the clouds, it’s still going to get dark."
"If clouds are present, the eclipse will still be evident and it should still be incredible to experience, with a dramatic change in the atmosphere when the daylight darkens to night. The temperature noticeably drops, and with it, birds and other typically vocal wildlife become quiet, changing to their nighttime behaviour. It’s intriguingly eerie and a unique event to witness."
UK Places Where the Solar Eclipse May Not Be Visible
- Scotland – widespread cloud across much of the country, particularly central, eastern and southern areas
- Northern Ireland – widespread cloud cover, with some clearer breaks
- Cumbria – including Barrow-in-Furness, Broughton-in-Furness and Kendal
- County Durham – including areas around Middleton-in-Teesdale and Darlington
- North Yorkshire – including Hawes, Leyburn, Northallerton, Ripon, Malton and Whitby
- Merseyside – including Liverpool
- Cheshire – including Warrington, Chester, Northwich and Macclesfield
- Derbyshire – including Buxton
- North Wales – including Bangor, Caernarfon, Wrexham and Llanwyddyn
- Shropshire – including Market Drayton, Shrewsbury, Church Stretton and Bridgnorth
- Staffordshire – including Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Uttoxeter and Lichfield
- West Midlands – including Birmingham and Wolverhampton
- Worcestershire – including Stourport-on-Severn, Redditch, Worcester and Evesham
Cloud cover may obscure the eclipse for many, but the event remains a rare and dramatic natural phenomenon not to be missed, even if the view is partially hidden.
