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Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Thunder possible. Low 47F. WNW winds shifting to NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..
Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Thunder possible. Low 47F. WNW winds shifting to NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated: April 28, 2024 @ 6:14 pm
NOAA worked with the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies to create an eclipse viewability map. You can find it at wdt.me/eclipsemap. NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
The April 8 total eclipse is about three weeks away and cloudless skies would be the optimal viewing conditions, especially in Watertown, which sits in the path of totality.
But thanks to some scientists, we can glimpse the future for a bit and see what the chances are of clear viewing for the phenomena.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information reviewed past cloud conditions, and working with scientists from the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, they created an interactive map for the total eclipse.
NOAA and the Institute used U.S. climate normals for the map. The “normals” are a large “suite of data products” that provide typical climate conditions data for thousands of locations across the U.S.
Normals act both as a ruler to compare today’s weather and tomorrow’s forecast, and as a predictor of conditions in the near future.
The 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals are the latest in a series of decadal normals first produced in the 1950s. They were first released in May 2021. NOAA says the data allows for such things as “travelers to pack the right clothes, farmers to plant the best crop varieties and utilities to plan for seasonal energy usage.” It can also be used for people to plan their eclipse viewing.
NOAA’s interactive map gives five categories to eclipse viewing, ranging from more than 80 percent to less than 20 percent “viewability” during “maximum obscuration.”
Data points on the map for the north country and Burlington, Vermont:
■ 46.7% viewability, based on historical data from Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, Fort Drum.
■ 51.9% viewability, based on data from Massena International Airport.
■ 47.5% viewability, based on data from Burlington International Airport.
“Totality” is scheduled to reach Watertown at 3:22:34 p.m., with eclipse duration of 3 minutes, 39 seconds. According to the “normals,” viewers can expect a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit at that time. Using records from Wheeler-Sack, NOAA’s historical data shows the chances of the skies being totally clear there are at 18.87%, a few clouds at 16.23%, broken clouds at 21.81% and overcast at 34.5%.
In Massena, based on the “normals,” there is a 34.41% chance of clear skies, while a few clouds at 8.37%, broken, 14.84% and overcast at 35.53%.
NOAA’s interactive map shows that in the path of totality, Del Rio International Airport in Texas offers the best chance, at 74.1%, for viewing the eclipse in all of its clear glory. But no matter where you view it, and under all conditions, use the proper eye protection.
Johnson Newspapers 7.1
Features writer
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(1) comment
"I really don't know clouds at all".......Joni Mitchell
3 weeks away - I'll take my chances the clouds won't get in our way.
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