What happens if it’s cloudy for the eclipse?

As much of the U.S. gears up for the April 8th solar eclipse, many wonder if instead of clear skies, we’re greeted with clouds, rain, or even snow? For Rochester, NY, and similarly unpredictable weather locales, cloudy skies might spell disappointment for the highly anticipated eclipse. If the weather forecast predicts overcast skies, locals might cling to hope for a break in the clouds. But a forecast of cloud coverage within 24 hours of the eclipse could prompt people to leave the area in search of clearer skies along the eclipse’s path of totality. Should the skies remain overcast, the partial eclipse, set to begin at 2:07 p.m., might go unnoticed, meaning the typical phenomena associated with this phase, such as temperature drops and unusual animal behavior, wouldn’t occur. However, totality, occurring at 3:20 p.m., would still result in a noticeable darkening of the sky, simulating night for approximately three minutes, despite the lack of visibility of the eclipse itself. This would offer a unique experience, albeit less spectacular than viewing the eclipse under clear skies.

Source: Rochester First