How to check the weather for the eclipse – and make a Plan B
You need to avoid cloudy weather at all costs, so here’s how to find clear skies
The peak of the total solar eclipse – Totality – is a magical sight, but it’s only visible in clear skies. Here’s how to check the weather for where you will be on Monday to see the eclipse. If you’re inside the Path of Totality and it’s predicted to be cloudy where you will be, we can’t stress enough how important it is for you to make a Plan B and carry it out – and NOW, not on Monday morning!
Here’s where to get eclipse weather forecasts
1 – National Weather Service 2017 Solar Eclipse: this is the one we’ll be looking at – you can get a 7-day forecast for any place in the U.S., but it has the Path of Totality marked upon it.
2 – Accuweather – punch in your location for a forecast. The radar page is handy
3 – The Weather Channel – watch online via phone/tablet for in-depth eclipse forecasts.
How to react to this information
1 – Is it predicted to be cloudy tomorrow where you are? If yes, you need to move NOW and NOT tomorrow morning.
2 – Spend some time looking on the above sources for a cloud-free location along the eclipse path. Make a decision and GO NOW.
3 – Get a full tank of gas and enough provisions (food, water) for 24 hours.
4 – Try to find a campsite, and get a passenger to call ahead while you drive.
How to find a last-minute campsite
1 – Check the USA Eclipse 2017 Camping & RV Guide
2 – Check HipCamp (many of these are first-come-first-served)
3 – Check here for info on dispersed/primitive camping in National Forests or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas
Paid $1,000 per night for a hotel and it’s cloudy? Tough luck – you need to move to clear skies. Your family will probably resist attempts to drive somewhere random and sleep in the car. MAKE THEM DO IT.
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