What is the Met Office weather forecast for the solar eclipse?

BRITAIN is gearing up for its biggest solar eclipse in nearly three decades on Wednesday, August 12. But whether you actually get to enjoy the celestial show rests on the mercy of the British weather, with the Met Office‘s forecast revealing a north-south divide across the country. Planetarium Astronomer Dr Carys Herbert demonstrates eclipse glasses at the Royal Observatory Greenwich Credit: PA August’s eclipse will be visible across the UK, with between 90% and 96.5% of the Sun covered depending on your location Credit: Getty Those in the South, Midlands, and East of England are set for ideal viewing conditions, with clear skies and summer heat. But skywatchers in Scotland and the North West may have to contend with thicker cloud cover and rain showers. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! Here is the breakdown of what weather to expect in your region for the big celestial event. What is the Met Office forecast for the solar eclipse? If you’re watching the solar spectacle from southern or central parts of the UK, the weather looks to be firmly on your side. The Met Office predicts high pressure will hold across southern, eastern, and central areas of England. Stargazers can expect settled, dry, and sunny conditions throughout the afternoon and evening. Visibility is also set to be “good” to “very good.” Temperatures earlier in the day are forecast to climb between 27C and 30C across the South West, Midlands, and South East, remaining warm and pleasant into the late evening. Most read in Science Because the Sun will sit low on the horizon during peak eclipse, clear skies are essential. The warm, settled conditions across the south should offer near-perfect sightlines. This map shows how much of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon during the solar eclipse Credit: Getty Never look directly at the Sun without ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses Credit: PA But the outlook is more challenging for those further north and west. According to the Met Office, more changeable conditions are tracking across northern Britain. Low pressure systems are expected to bring thicker cloud cover, gustier winds, and a higher risk of rain or scattered showers across North West England and northwestern Scotland. While drier spells will intersperse the rain, cloud build-up could obscure the Sun during the critical viewing window in the early evening. Visibility in these areas is expected to be lower, meaning stargazers may need to rely on temporary breaks in the cloud to catch a view of the eclipse. What time is the eclipse on August 12? The event will be visible across the entire UK as a deep partial eclipse, with between 90% and 96.5% of the Sun covered depending on your location. The key times for the celestial show are: 6.15pm: The partial eclipse begins as the Moon starts moving across the Sun’s disc. 7.05pm – 7.15pm: Peak coverage occurs, bringing maximum darkness. 8.05pm: The eclipse finishes as the Sun sits low on the western horizon. Tips for watching the eclipse safely Because the eclipse takes place in the late afternoon and early evening, the Sun will sit low in the sky, roughly 13 to 16 degrees above the west-northwest horizon. To get the best view, find an open spot: head to a beach, hilltop, or open field facing west-northwest with no buildings or trees blocking the horizon. Evening cloud build-up or coastal fog can develop quickly near sunset, so keep an eye on local Met Office forecasts on Wednesday afternoon. Never look directly at the Sun without ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses or proper solar filters on optical equipment. For a safe alternative to eclipse glasses, stand with your back to the Sun and hold a kitchen colander, slotted spoon, or paper pinhole card to project crescent-shaped solar shadows onto the ground or a piece of card. Comment now