Are odds improving for Northeast Ohio to see the total solar eclipse? Hear WKYC’s Betsy Kling’s take
People eager to see the sun vanish for nearly four minutes beginning at about 3:13 p.m. on Monday, April 8, are monitoring the weather forecast to see if clouds will shield their view. WKYC Channel 3 meteorologist Betsy Kling has stated that the odds are improving for Northeast Ohio to see the total solar eclipse on April 8. Despite a decrease in cloud-cover forecast for Monday afternoon, she believes there is still a good chance of finding any openings in the clouds. Kling also mentioned a potential storm system to the west that will bring some clouds into the area Sunday night, but the system's movement has been improving. Forecasters won't be able to pinpoint prediction until Monday afternoon.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Cliff Pinckard, Cliff Pinckard | [email protected], cpinckar in Weather
CLEVELAND, Ohio — We’re another day closer to a rare total eclipse being visible in much of Northeast Ohio.
At least we’re hoping it’s visible. People in the Cleveland area eager to see the sun vanish for nearly four minutes beginning at about 3:13 p.m. have been monitoring the weather forecast to see if clouds will shield their view.
On Wednesday, WKYC Channel 3 meteorologist Betsy Kling said the cloud-cover trend decreased for Monday afternoon, but the “forecast confidence” still went down because the threat of showers and clouds lingered.
So what does Kling think of the situation for April 8?
“I do think we have a pretty good darn chance to see it,” Kling said Thursday, even though it’s said it’s pretty much a “slam dunk” that clouds will be in the area when the eclipse occurs.
“The big question is what type of clouds and will we be able to weave our way into openings in the clouds,” she said. “I think we have a really good chance to find some openings in the clouds.”
Kling said thin clouds higher in the atmosphere will offer little obstruction, but observers might have to contend with some lower-level clouds.
There also is a storm system to the west that will bring some clouds into the area Sunday night. However, the system has been picking up speed, which is a good thing, Kling said.
“It’s been moving a little bit faster and at this point it’s fine if it hits the gas, because it looks like we have a good chance to see less cloud cover,” she said.
All of this means the cloud-cover trend for Monday has dipped slightly and “forecast confidence” is growing that Northeast Ohio residents will get a chance to view the sun during the eclipse. But forecasters won’t be able to offer a pinpoint prediction until Monday afternoon.
“I’m going to tell you another secret,” Kling said. “Even if we have cloud cover, you will experience the eclipse. It’s still going to get dark.”
Kling and WKYC news anchor Jay Crawford posted a special broadcast online Thursday night on preparing for Monday’s eclipse.