2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Forecast: Where Skies Will Be Clear Or Cloudy

 Chris Dolce

Published: October 12, 2023

T​he annular solar eclipse on Saturday will be at least partially visible from all of the Lower 48 states, but cloud cover could be an issue in some parts of the country for those wanting to put on their eclipse glasses to take a look.

Here's when the annular eclipse will take place on Saturday: T​he so-called ring of fire's path over the U.S. starts in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT, or 12:13 p.m. EDT. It will then move southeast across parts of northeastern California, northern Nevada, southern Utah, northeastern Arizona, southwestern Colorado, New Mexico and western and southern parts of Texas, where it will end at 12:03 p.m. CDT, or 1:03 p.m. EDT.

The farther you are in either direction, the less you'll see. NASA has an interactive map that can tell you exactly when you'll see the eclipse in your location, what to expect it to look like and for how long.

(​MORE: All The Details On the Annular Eclipse)

That path of the full annular eclipse is shown by the black stripe from Oregon to Texas.

H​ere's what conditions will be like for areas along the path of the full annular solar eclipse: Cloud cover could obscure skies in parts of Oregon, northern Nevada and northern California. Intervals of sun and high clouds could be in place across New Mexico, including Albuquerque.

Much of Texas and southern Utah, on the other hand, look like they could be good spots for those along the full path.

T​he map below shows cloud cover thickness across the U.S. at 9 a.m. PDT, or 12 p.m. EDT, which is right before the eclipse will begin.

Cloud Cover Forecast

H​ere's what to expect in the rest of the U.S. for the partial annular eclipse: Cloud cover could hamper viewing in much of the Midwest and Northeast, as well as parts of the Southeast and the Northwest.

A​reas from the lower Mississippi Valley to the Southern Plains as well as southern Nevada, Southern California and parts of Arizona might be able to see a fairly clear view of the partial eclipse.

T​he map below shows cloud cover thickness across the U.S. at 12 p.m. CDT, or 1 p.m. EDT, which is right before the eclipse will end.

Cloud Cover Forecast

I​t's really important to protect your eyes. No one should ever look directly at the sun, and an eclipse is no different. Experts recommend using special glasses or viewers. Make sure they are from a reputable source and meet the safety standard for sun viewing.

(​MORE: What To Know About Eclipse Glasses)

Chris Dolce has been a senior meteorologist with weather.com for over 10 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.