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Here’s Your Weather Forecast For Thursday’s ‘Blood Moon’ Eclipse
A rare “blood moon” total lunar eclipse is set to captivate millions of Americans and people around the world overnight on Thursday, March 13 through Friday, March 14. If you’re planning to witness this extraordinary celestial event, we’ve got a detailed weather forecast for you.
According to NOAA’s forecast, clear skies are expected in the center of the U.S., spanning from Texas to the Midwest and then to the Ohio Valley and northern New England. This region will have an excellent chance of witnessing the spectacle without any obstructions. Interestingly, this is the exact same path that saw the total solar eclipse last year.
While we can’t guarantee clear skies across the entire North American continent, many regions will still have a decent opportunity to see some or all of the event. Some cloud cover is predicted for areas along the East Coast and in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and the southeast. However, even with some clouds, you may still be able to catch glimpses of the eclipse during the partial phases.
Unfortunately, those residing in western North America will have a significantly reduced chance of witnessing the event due to an impending storm system that’s expected to bring unsettled weather, including rain and snow. This includes the West Coast, Rocky Mountains, northern Plains, and Canadian Prairies.
To help you plan your viewing experience, here are the exact times for the total lunar eclipse:
* Eastern: 2:26-3:31 a.m. EDT on Friday, March 14
* Central: 1:26 a.m. to 2:31 a.m. CDT on Friday, March 14
* Mountain: 12:26-1:31 a.m. MDT on Friday, March 14
* Pacific: 11:26 p.m. PST on Thursday, March 13 to 12:31 a.m. PDT on Friday, March 14
* Alaska: 10:26-11:31 p.m. ADT on Thursday, March 13
* Hawaii: 8:26-9:31 p.m. HST on Thursday, March 13
Remember that no special equipment or safety precautions are required to safely watch the eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse. Dr. Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society, emphasized that it’s “perfectly safe to look at” due to the moon’s brightness being equivalent to that of a full moon.
