Doomscrolling through the weather sites…
Too many of the predictions are pointing toward something that looks a lot like our front yard in SoCal this evening. For example,
(Plot by Tomer Burg, arctic.som.ou.edu)
This is the “GEFS Downward Shortwave Radiation” prediction. I won’t pretend to really understand what all of that means, except grey means bad and blue means good, and where I’m headed is the second darkest shade of grey. And there are dozens and dozens of different models, different agencies, different colors, different data sets – they’re all pointing the same way.
This prediction was generated ten days out from the event, so it’s going to change, possibly by a significant amount, but likely not by a ton. The details will get more refined for all of those exact locations, but in broad strokes, it’s looking a lot like there are going to be significant clouds along 90% of the eclipse path, all the way from Mexico to the Great Lakes.
We knew this was a possibility. I am very surprised to see so much of the eclipse path covered in clouds. Normally I would expect a couple of storms possible, which means maybe driving toward the Mexican border or up toward Arkansas. But needing to drive all the way to eastern Ohio???!!!
It will be what it will be. You’ll hear me saying that a lot in the next ten days. Barring some disaster I’ll be in Texas next Friday, spend the weekend there watching the forecast and going over options, then taking our best shot on Monday. I have no control over the weather.
Say goodbye to March, friends! It could have been worse, but it sure could have been better as well. Let’s hope that April finally cuts us some slack, especially with the cloud cover on the afternoon of April 8th!
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 