ARKANSAS, USA — A total solar eclipse is happening in April 2024, with many spots in the United States as prime locations to watch this super rare event.
The last thing you want to see during a solar eclipse is a cloud that blocks your view. Generally, the farther south you go on the path of totality, the better chance you have of avoiding clouds in April.
Based on data from climatologist Brian Brettschneider, we were able to roughly estimate the chance for clouds for every state in early April. The jet stream can be very active this time of year, dipping south and surging north, generally leading to severe weather.
However, the farther south you travel, the odds become better that you will have more sunshine than clouds.
State-by-state map
We included every state in the lower 48 on the map, but the path of totality will take place in the black swath from Texas to Maine. The red line shows the maximum 4+ minutes of totality expected.
The states are color-coded by the chance of clouds in early April. The gray colors show states that will have a better chance for clouds than sunshine. The yellow, orange, and red colors show states that at least have a 50-50 shot at sunshine or greater.
So, where should you go?
The farther south you travel, the higher the chance of sunshine. You do not want a cloud blocking your view of the sun. Even small clouds can greatly change your experience.
Based on clouds along the maximum totality red line, you should aim to travel to:
- Texas
- Southeast Oklahoma
- Oklahoma
- Southeast Missouri
States from Illinois and Indiana to the eastern Great Lakes will have a high chance of clouds. Could it be sunny April 8, 2024? Sure! But the odds are lower.
More information on the solar eclipse: