Clouds May Block Eclipse Viewing In South Jersey: Latest Forecast

SOUTH JERSEY — Growing chances of cloudiness make it a "close call" on whether much of South Jersey gets an unobstructed view of Monday afternoon's total solar eclipse, according to the National Weather Service.

Days ago, the NWS predicted sunny conditions during the eclipse. But hours before the once-in-a-generation event, the agency expects cloud cover to increase in the afternoon — especially by Philadelphia and the I-95 corridor.

The cloudiness will be "nothing major but possibly enough to disrupt eclipse viewing in areas where it looked more hopeful earlier," according to a mid-morning forecast discussion from the NWS's regional office.

The eclipse will pass through the region from 2:08 to 4:35 p.m., according to NASA.

Forecasters expect more clouds north and west of Philadelphia and along the I-95 corridor on Monday afternoon. There's a 53 percent chance of cloud coverage throughout the afternoon, but there's a lower probability of cloud cover earlier in that timeframe.

Here's the NWS's hour-by-hour forecast for the Philly area:

• 12 p.m.: 30 percent chance of cloudiness
• 1 p.m.: 27 percent chance of cloudiness
• 2 p.m.: 29 percent chance of cloudiness (partial eclipse begins at 2:08 p.m., totality begins at 2:49 p.m.)
• 3 p.m.: 40 percent chance of cloudiness (maximum at 3:23 p.m., totality ends at 4:35 p.m.)
• 4 p.m.: 45 percent chance of cloudiness (partial eclipse ends at 4:35 p.m.)
• 5 p.m.: 53 percent chance of cloudiness

It may be less cloudy further south in the state, according to the NWS's Mount Holly office, which covers South Jersey.

"We will be seeing increasing clouds through the afternoon, but we could see enough breaks in the clouds to still allow for a decent viewing of the eclipse," the regional office said.

No matter the conditions, proper eye protection is still a must for viewing the eclipse.

New Jersey is outside of the eclipse's path of totality. But with clear enough conditions, the state should still have a good view of the event.

After this, a total solar eclipse won't become visible in the United States for another 20 years.