The weather appears to be holding steady for eclipse viewers here in Vermont.
Conor Lahiff of the National Weather Service in Burlington said they are closely watching a band of low, thick clouds that are moving across New York toward Vermont — and could block out the eclipse.
Lahiff said it looks like they'll hit the Adirondacks region around 3 p.m., but Vermont should be spared.
"It's a pretty close call for Vermont as far as those those lower clouds obscuring things," Lahiff said in an interview late Monday morning, "but we're optimistic that those are going to stay west of us long enough that we're going to get a good view."
Folks in the Champlain Valley should expect to see high clouds this afternoon — but those won't impede eclipse views.
The Northeast Kingdom will have the best conditions in the state.
From Monday's Eye on the Sky weather forecast: "Sunny this morning after any early fog, then high clouds advancing from the southwest, likely reaching Burlington, central Vermont, and southern New Hampshire early this afternoon, with patchy high clouds or clear skies farther to the north and east. Highs from the mid 50s to lower 60s. Winds becoming northwest winds 5 to 10 mph."
Vermont's favorable prospects make it an outlier in the national forecast. Along the path of totality, which stretches from Texas to Maine, the "best chances for clear viewing" are in northern New England and parts of Arkansas and Indiana, the NOAA National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center said in a Facebook post Sunday. Other areas along the path, including Texas, are looking at clouds.
Comments on the post and national news coverage indicated that some people were considering changing their travel plans to chase clear skies for the eclipse. Last-minute weather-based decisions could bring more visitors to Vermont.
Thin clouds currently over northern New York will continue to shift east into Vermont, but will not obscure the sun enough to affect viewing. Thicker clouds from Syracuse westward will make a run for the North Country, but we're optimistic they will hold off until after totality. pic.twitter.com/jAvV0cg1Yu
— NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) April 8, 2024
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.
More eclipse resources
- See our eclipse liveblog for the latest updates.
- Watch our half-hour educational TV special, "Path to Totality."
- See our interactive map of the eclipse path.
- Plan for road closures around the state.
- Get updates on the weather forecast for Monday.
- Emergency management officials share travel and communication tips.
- Where to find eclipse glasses.
- Learning guides for preK-12 educators.
- Details on our live event in St. Johnsbury and other events around the state.
See all of Vermont Public's 2024 eclipse coverage.
