TYLER, Texas — As the countdown to totality draws near, people are closely monitoring the forecast hoping for clear viewing conditions for the solar eclipse.
While there's been some clouds in the forecast, the closer April 8 gets, the more accurate the weather data becomes.
However, at Tyler Junior College, Dr. Beau Hartweg, director of the Earth and Space Science Center, said that even if it’s cloudy, that doesn't mean viewing the eclipse will be a complete wash. Based on his personal experience with the last total eclipse in the U.S., he said the cloudy skies shouldn't be a concern.
"What I witnessed in 2017 when I saw the total solar eclipse in Marshall, Missouri was completely cloudy skies the morning and the day of the solar eclipse. But as the moon passed over the surface of the earth, its shadow causes those clouds to dissipate and we were able to see totality and completeness. After that, the clouds did come back in, but in these situations the moon can be our friend."
Hartweg also said that this whole week the center is having eclipse showings and guest speakers in addition to the events they have planned for April 8.