ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There's a lot of excitement for the total solar eclipse on April 8, as it's a rare celestial event that will not be seen over North American skies for another 20 years.
However, when it comes to Tampa Bay and the sunshine state in general, we are outside the prime viewing location. In fact, we will only see a partial eclipse with about 65% of the sun covered during the peak of the eclipse. Don't let this news drag you down! A partial eclipse will still be neat to see, just be sure you have the correct eyewear protection for it.
What's in the forecast?
The latest computer modeling points towards areas like East Texas (in the path of totality) seeing mostly cloudy skies and possible rain which could turn an eager eclipse chase away.
Other areas like Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio look to feature partial cloud cover - while areas across the far northeast such as Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are pointing towards optimal viewing conditions with the clearest skies.
For Tampa Bay, we could see a few high clouds filter in by the time the eclipse begins, but overall, we'll be staying rain-free all day so it'll still be worth stepping outside to check out this celestial event. Even through high clouds, there's a good chance you can still see the sun being covered by the moon.
Remember: it is extremely important you have the correct eyewear. The start of the eclipse for Tampa Bay will be around 1:43 p.m. ET, with peak conditions around 3 p.m. and the eclipse ending around 4:15 p.m. For more information how to safely watch the solar eclipse, where to find eye protection, and a list of events and viewing parties... click HERE.
