Weather for lunar eclipse not ideal for most
Sky-watchers are paying close attentioon to the weather forecast this weekend.
That’s because a total lunar eclipse will take place later Sunday evening into the early hours of Monday morning, with a chance to view the entire event here in Atlantic Canada.
The total lunar eclipse coincides with the month’s full moon, known as the flower moon. The moon will also be near or at its closest point to Earth at the same time as it is full, which is why it is a super moon.
Since the eclipse will give the moon a red glow at totality, it’s also dubbed the blood moon.
But we’re at the mercy of the weather to see this lunar eclipse here in Atlantic Canada, and for many of us, it won’t be in our favour.
The Maritime provinces can expect cloudy skies during the event with scattered showers over much of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, with a chance of showers across Prince Edward Island.
There is some hope for Newfoundland and parts of Labrador as high-pressure will remain over the area. This will keep the rain over the Maritimes and could allow some clear patches for parts of the island portion of the province.
I’d suggest keeping an eye on the forecast over the weekend, even in the Maritimes, in case we see any changes.
The eclipse begins at 10:32 p.m. ADT/11:02 p.m. NDT Sunday evening. The total eclipse occurs at 12:29 a.m. ADT/12:59 a.m. NDT Monday morning, with the maximum eclipse at 1:11 a.m. ADT/1:41 a.m. NDT. The total eclipse ends at 1:53 a.m. ADT/2:21 a.m. NDT, with the event itself wrapping up at 3:50 a.m. ADT/4:20 a.m. NDT.
So, if there’s any chance of seeing it, you’ll need to stay up late.
Fingers crossed that the forecast improves.