Aug. 15, 2017 UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Paducah has determined in its seven-day forecast that conditions will mostly clear with temperatures in the upper 80s and heat indices in the mid 90s on Monday, the day of the Great American Solar eclipse.
NWS forecasters say isolated showers and thunderstorms could pop up in the afternoon, though the risk should be after the anticipated eclipse time in the region. Cloud cover is expected to be no more than 35 percent, though NWS says it is impossible to tell what coverage would be down to the minute.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Paducah are predicting few clouds or precipitation during the Great American Solar Eclipse, but NWS forecasts say it’s still too early to be certain.
According to NWS forecasters, a vigorous storm system concentrated in the Great Lakes system will bring showers and isolated thunderstorms beginning about Tuesday. Storms will likely increase by Thursday into that evening as a cold front crosses through the region. Thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall and gusty winds, according to NWS. Inclement weather should diminish in the region by Friday, according to NWS, though Saturday could bring the possibility of additional showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Forecasters say the day of the big event — Monday, Aug. 21 — is still just outside the reliable seven-day prediction, however data suggest the region will be under a “building mid-level ridge.” NWS forecasters say conditions will be conducive to very little chance of precipitation development and limited cloudiness.
“This is a preliminary forecast, and is subject to change,” the NWS prediction states. “But at this point we have reasonable enough confidence that it will hold.”
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of about 87 Thursday and extending throughout the weekend. Sunday should remain mostly sunny, according to NWS forecasts.
For more information, visit NWS online.