Best places to witness April 8 total solar eclipse 2024 as clouds may play spoiler

There is a total solar eclipse happening on April 8th.

People eager to catch a glimpse of the celestial spectacle may have to play hide-and-seek with clouds as weather patterns suggest a cloudier outlook for the April 8 eclipse.

If you are in the United States and want to see the celestial happening, you need to be in the path of totality. The path stretches from Texas all the way up to Maine. This path of totality spans about 2,500 miles across North America.

A total of 13 states will be in the solar eclipse path on April 8. These states are Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont. 

Mike Augustyniak, CBS Minnesota's director of meteorology, points out, "According to NASA, at any given time, 70% of the earth is covered in clouds."

The best places to see the eclipse with clear skies are likely to be in the southern part of the total solar eclipse's path, in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

There would be factors, including the current El Niño pattern that could further complicate matters as El Niño brings cloudy and rainy weather conditions.

These places will have drier April with a higher chance of clear skies compared to the north. However, there is still a chance of storms and clouds. Hence, you need to keep this in mind.

If you are in the Midwest, like Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and near the Great Lakes, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, it may be more challenging for you to view the total solar eclipse due to higher cloud cover.

"If you're unable to travel (to Texas or Arkansas), then Southern Illinois and Indiana present your best opportunity for a clearer sky, supported by the 43-year average and, of course, weather permitting," said Albert Ramon, chief meteorologist for CBS Chicago.

The same goes for New England areas including Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, which have the statistically least chance of clear skies.

The next total solar eclipse in the US will take place in August 2045, but it will fall during hurricane season.