Experience the Eclipse: Watching and Feeling the Phenomenon

On Monday, April 8, there will be a total solar eclipse happening, which will affect the weather conditions on Earth.

During a solar eclipse, changes in temperature, wind speed, and humidity can be observed as the moon moves in front of the sun and creates a shadow on the Earth's surface.

The weather changes become more dramatic when more sunlight is blocked. It's similar to how shaded areas are cooler on a hot day compared to places in direct sunlight.

April's total solar eclipse will block the entire sun along a 115-mile wide path from Texas to Maine, known as the path of totality. Cities like Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo, New York, will witness this phenomenon.

The moon will cover a significant part of the sun, resulting in a partial solar eclipse outside the total eclipse path. The closer a location is to the total eclipse path, the more of the sun's light and energy will be hidden by the moon.

As far west as Anaheim, California, and as far east as Orlando, Florida, about 50% of the sun will be blocked during the eclipse. However, in the Pacific Northwest, only around 20% of the sun will be obscured.

An image of the sun during a solar eclipse is projected onto a hand in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, on August 21, 2017. The city was not in the eclipse's path of totality, so the moon only partially blocked the sun.

An image of the sun during a solar eclipse is projected onto a hand in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, August 21, 2017. The city was not in the eclipse's path of totality, thus the moon only partially blocked the sun.

Alejandro Zepeda/EPA/Shutterstock

But a reduction in solar radiation, no matter how brief, can affect temperatures and other weather.

Not all changes in weather during an eclipse are the same. The temperature drop can differ greatly depending on factors such as cloud cover and the season.

The time of year is important because the angle of sunlight hitting the Earth affects temperatures. A higher angle results in more intense heat and sunshine. This angle increases during spring, peaks in summer, and decreases in the fall.

During the last total solar eclipse, which occurred on a summer afternoon in late August, temperatures were already high. This made some locations along the path of totality more prone to experiencing a crater in temperature.

In Douglas, Wyoming, temperatures dropped by 11 degrees in just one hour. Across the South, there were widespread temperature drops of 4 to 8 degrees.

The upcoming eclipse in April will happen when the sun is not as high in the sky as it is in August. However, it will still occur during the hottest part of the day. This means that there will be a brief cool down during the eclipse, but don't worry, temperatures will go back up afterwards.

During April’s event, temperatures in the path of totality could drop by about 10 degrees for up to an hour, according to Andrew White, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. In areas experiencing a partial eclipse, temperature drops will be less noticeable.

The eclipse will also impact humidity levels, which play a role in determining the extent to which temperatures can decrease during totality.

The feeling of humidity is closely linked to temperature. When the air temperature and the dew point, which indicates the amount of moisture in the air, get closer, humidity increases. During an eclipse, if the air temperatures briefly drop, they move closer to the dew point, making the air feel more humid.

However, the air temperatures cannot go below the dew point. Therefore, if the dew points are high at the beginning of the eclipse, they will restrict how low the temperatures can drop.

During an eclipse, the decrease in solar radiation and cooler temperatures can impact wind patterns and cloud formation.

The temporary cooldown during an eclipse results in less heat being stored in the atmosphere. This reduction in heat causes the air to become less buoyant, leading to a more stable atmosphere. Consequently, the atmosphere responds by forming clouds, storms, and wind to release heat energy and restore equilibrium.

During the total solar eclipse in 2017, scientists observed a fascinating phenomenon. As the moon blocked the sun, the air temperature decreased, leading to a calming effect on the atmosphere. This caused a significant drop in wind speeds, with measurements showing an average decrease of 6 mph in Wyoming and New York.

A significant temperature drop has the ability to change cloud cover.

During the total solar eclipse in 2017, clouds in South Carolina vanished because they lost their heat source, which is necessary for air to rise and form clouds. It is possible that a similar phenomenon could occur during Monday's eclipse.

Monday's eclipse is a rare opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse in the Lower 48 states. The next chance to see one won't happen until August 12, 2045. However, there will be a partial eclipse in Montana and the Dakotas on August 23, 2044.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8th promises to deliver a captivating celestial spectacle. Beyond its stunning visual display, this astronomical event will also trigger intriguing meteorological effects. As the moon obscures the sun, a cascade of changes in temperature, humidity, and wind patterns will unfold, adding another layer of fascination to this celestial show.

The temporary reduction in solar radiation during the eclipse will cool the atmosphere, potentially causing cloud cover to dissipate and winds to calm. The extent of these effects will depend on factors such as the timing of the eclipse and the prevailing weather conditions. Nevertheless, observers along the path of totality will have a unique opportunity to witness the interplay between celestial mechanics and Earth's weather systems, making this eclipse an event not only for stargazers but also for nature enthusiasts.