April 2024 eclipse forecast: Meteorologists have an early best guess about cloud cover

Editor's note: An updated cloud forecast for the April 2024 total solar eclipse is in. Read the latest eclipse forecast and news as of Wednesday, April 3.

So ... will it be clear or cloudy for the 2024 total solar eclipse on April 8?

A month from now, that will be the question on everyone's lips as millions of Americans from Texas to Maine scramble to see the total eclipse of the sun.

Meteorologists from AccuWeather have an early answer to that question, as the forecasting firm issued a very early forecast today for April 8.

AccuWeather notes that an accurate daily forecast is not yet possible this far out, but the map presents an early best guess based on weather patterns and trends. As the date gets closer, the forecast will get far more accurate and specific.

Eclipse weather forecast

"Southern Texas and areas of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes currently have the best chance of favorable weather, based on the latest data," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a statement. He also said the odds of cloudy weather are a little higher in the Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley.

"At this time, it appears that the Northeast faces the highest chance of clouds blocking the view of the total eclipse," he concluded.

Renewable energy: Darkness from April's eclipse will briefly impact solar power in its path. What to know.

However, cloud-free weather could still win out in these areas on April 8, AccuWeather said. More detailed, specific forecasts will be available in the weeks ahead.

Other top forecast sites, such as Weather.com and the National Weather Service, had no mention of an eclipse weather forecast as of Friday afternoon.

Map: Past weather data shows cities' chances for clear skies along Eclipse path

Select your location on the map to see eclipse times, peak sun coverage and likely levels of cloudiness during the eclipse. Lighter dots indicate a greater chance of clear skies. Don't see a map? Click here.

Based on past weather, where are skies likely to be clear for the eclipse? 

Based on past weather data, of all the states in the path of totality — where the moon completely covers the sun — Texas has the best chance of clear skies.

Specifically, Brady, Texas, the geographical center of the state, is predicted to have the least cloud cover, based on historical averages.

Parts of Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and upstate New York might not have the same experience, as these areas in the path of totality are more likely to see cloudy skies.

More: What's the best place to see the April 2024 solar eclipse? One state is the easy answer.

Solar eclipse totality map

Using this map, find your location to see when the eclipse begins and ends and how much of the sun will be covered at its peak. Dark red dots along the path of totality represent areas that will experience a total solar eclipse, and all other orange areas will see the moon partially cover the sun. Don't see a map? Click here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: April 2024 eclipse cloud forecast: Experts have early best guess