The weather forecast for Saturday’s “ring of fire” solar eclipse is looking good.
San Antonio will be in the path of totality — prime viewing territory, in layman’s terms — for the annular eclipse, which will begin around 10:30 a.m. and last until 1:30 p.m., with the ring of fire effect being viewable in San Antonio from about 11:53 to 11:56 a.m.
Annular solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the sun and Earth but the moon is at a point where it is further away from Earth, so it does not block out the sun completely and instead leaves the edges visible for a “ring of fire” effect.
Saturday’s weather is expected to resemble how it’s looked this week so far, said New Braunfels National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Runyen.
“In San Antonio, we’re expecting partly cloudy skies — but hopefully by midday, the clouds should dissipate,” Runyen said. “We’re expecting a low of 64 and a high of 82. It should be generally good viewing.”
The last time there was an annular eclipse in the U.S., in 2012, those in the path of totality experienced about a four-degree drop in temperature during the peak of the eclipse, said Nick Hampshire, another meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Residents who want to make sure they give themselves the best viewing possibility this weekend should aim to stay within Bexar County, as the counties west of Bexar — such as Medina and Uvalde — are expected to remain mostly overcast during the brief but dazzling show, Runyen said.
Hampshire noted it will be cloudier in the western portions of Bexar County on Saturday.
“The more west you head, the cloudier it will be, with clouds peaking around the Rio Grande,” he said.
Runyen reminded anyone planning to view the eclipse that they need to wear protective eclipse glasses or use a do-it-yourself pinhole projector to avoid the risk of damaging their eyes. Eclipse glasses are special eyewear designed for direct viewing of the sun.
These glasses filter out eye-damaging radiation, making it possible for the wearer to look at the eclipse. Solar eclipse glasses are either made of a black polymer or silvery mylar that blocks 100% of infrared and ultraviolet light. Official eclipse glasses are certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Wearers should look for an ISO certification number on their glasses prior to using them. Find certified-safe eclipse glasses here.
Organizations across the city will be hosting events and viewing parties for residents who want to get beyond their backyard. Check out the San Antonio Report’s viewing guide here for information on some of the local watch parties.
