Annular Solar Eclipse Will Be Viewable in U.S. Sunday

The moon will reduce the sun to what resembles a thin ring late Sunday along a path from Oregon to Texas

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Sunday will come to a close with a spectacular solar eclipse across much of the United States with the Southwest enjoying the best view and weather.

The moon will reduce the sun to what resembles a thin ring late Sunday along a path from Medford, Ore., to Redding, Calif., to Reno, Nev., to Cedar City, Utah, to Albuquerque, N.M., to Lubbock, Texas.

While officially deemed a partial eclipse elsewhere across the West, the astronomical show will still be amazing for Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Boise with more than 80 percent of the sun being covered.

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AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson states that the display will be extra spectacular throughout the Rockies with the eclipse occurring right before sunset.

For those hoping to view or photograph the eclipse (doing so while adhering to the safety tips outlined by SPACE.com), Mother Nature is set to cooperate.

High pressure will promote clear skies throughout the Southwest and northward to Idaho late Sunday.

Some clouds threaten to partially obscure the view across the central and southern High Plains, which includes Lubbock, Texas.

Seattle and Portland would be treated to the same show in store for Los Angeles and San Diego, but a blanket of clouds will cover the Pacific Northwest. Some of these clouds should spill across far northern California and the interior Northwest.

Eclipse Not Confined to the West
Viewing Sunday's solar eclipse will not just be limited to the West. The rest of the United States with the exception of the East Coast will be able to see at least a sliver of the moon blocking out the sun.

Unfortunately for those from the Upper Midwest to eastern Kansas, witnessing the eclipse will be tough with thunderstorms set to roll through.

Away from the contiguous United States, clouds will likely cover Anchorage and Juneau in Alaska Sunday afternoon. Hawaii will be treated to more sunshine than clouds.

From AccuWeather.com (find the original story here); reprinted with permission.

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