Weather should cooperate for solar eclipse viewing in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE - The weather looks like it will cooperate and provide clear skies for those who want to watch the solar eclipse in Southern New England this afternoon.

The day is starting out clear, although some mid- to high-level cirrus clouds could arrive this afternoon with a "very subtle warm front aloft," the weather service says in its forecast discussion.

"Should cirrus clouds form today, they would likely not be thick enough to obscure the sun during the eclipse," the weather service says.

Cirrus clouds are "wispy" and "feathery," according to the weather service, and are composed of ice crystals.

"They often are the first sign of an approaching warm front or upper-level jet streak," the weather service says.

Viewers in Southern New England will see a partial solar eclipse with a little more than 90% of the sun blocked. It will start at 2:15 and end at 4:38 p.m. Maximum coverage will happen at 3:29 p.m.

After a chilly night, the temperature will also warm to comfortable levels and should reach a high of about 64 degrees in Providence. The month has started out cooler than normal, and today should mark the first time this month the temperature breaks 60 in Providence.

In Newport, temps are expected to hit 58 degrees, with sunny skies.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Weather: Sky should stay clear for eclipse viewers in Rhode Island