National Eclipse

STATE-BY-STATE WEATHER OUTLOOK

For the 2023 annular solar eclipse, weather experts believe that the weather odds for a successful eclipse viewing on October 14 along the path of annularity in the United States increase in favorability as you move south along the path from Oregon to New Mexico, where the best weather prospects can be found, and then reverse course and modestly decrease in favorability along the path in Texas. What follows is a state-by-state weather outlook, gleaned from a variety of sources, for each of the eight U.S. states along which the path of annularity will travel on October 14, 2023.

OREGON—The first state along the path of the 2023 eclipse is also the one with the highest probability of cloudy skies on October 14. When the eclipse commences on Saturday morning, Oregon's beaches will likely be a popular gathering spot within the 137-mile-wide path of annularity, but the maritime climate along the coast could produce morning clouds and fog that might obscure the view of the rising Sun. Better weather might be found farther inland in the valleys beyond the Coast Range, but even there morning fog might be a problem. If you decide to view the eclipse from Crater Lake National Park or anywhere else in the cloud-prone Cascades, make sure to check short-term weather forecasts in the days before the eclipse. Keep in mind, also, that it snows here in October. Beyond the Cascades, the likelihood of cloudy skies decreases dramatically as the path of annularity descends down into Oregon's high desert, which promises a relatively good possibility of favorable eclipse-watching weather.

CALIFORNIA—The weather outlook for the remote northeastern corner of California over which the path of annularity travels on October 14 is nearly identical to that in southern Oregon. Although there's not much to do in thinly populated Modoc County, the high desert landscape results in a relatively good chance of clear skies on eclipse day.

NEVADA—The weather odds continue to improve along the path of annularity in Nevada as the Moon's shadow crosses the vast topography of arid mountain ranges and valleys known as the Great Basin. The chances of precipitation will be low and the chances for sunny skies should be relatively high, especially in the valleys.

UTAH—In Utah, the increasing trend toward favorable weather prospects along the path of annularity continues as the eclipse track moves deeper into the dry ridge-and-valley terrain of the Great Basin. As in Nevada, the chances for rain or snow should be low and the chances for cloudless skies should be high. These odds can be increased even further by staying away from higher elevation areas. For the absolute best weather prospects for a successful eclipse viewing in Utah, head to the southeastern corner of the state, where the probability of clouds drops to the lowest point seen thus far along the eclipse track.

ARIZONA—The path of annularity only crosses over a small section of Arizona. But by the time it gets here, the transition has been made from the high desert of the Great Basin to the high desert of the Colorado Plateau. According to weather experts, this entire multi-state area of the American Southwest promises the best chances of clear skies along the path of annularity in the U.S.

COLORADO—Only a small triangle-shaped piece of Colorado—smaller even than Arizona's share—is captured inside the eclipse path. But in terms of weather, the outlook for fair skies along the path in Colorado is just as good as in Arizona and the rest of the Colorado Plateau.

NEW MEXICO—New Mexico, with its high desert landscapes, promises a great chance for cloud-free skies on eclipse day. In fact, eclipse weather forecasting site eclipsophile.com says the Colorado Plateau region of New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado offers the "best eclipse-watching weather along the track." Since New Mexico encompasses most of that Colorado Plateau portion of the track, it's a good choice for those who want to combine favorable eclipse-viewing prospects with a lot of room to move around in the relatively unlikely event that clouds threaten.

TEXAS—The increasing trend of the possibility of cloud-free skies seen since Oregon reverses course in Texas. The probability of clouds never returns to Oregon-like levels, but the possibility of cloudy skies on October 14 does steadily increase along the path of annularity here in Texas. Essentially, the closer you get to the coast, the more exposure to moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Make sure to check short-term weather forecasts for the chance of clouds and fog, especially along the Texas shore, during the late-morning hours. Thunderstorms and tropical storms are still possible in Texas in mid-October, but less frequent than earlier in the year.