Will it be cloudy during Monday's solar eclipse? Environment Canada seems to think so
Weather forecasts are predicting that cities along the path of totality during Monday's solar eclipse will have clouds that could obstruct the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.
Environment Canada's forecast shows there are currently no cities in either southern or eastern Ontario that will be cloud-free on April 8.
"Nowhere in southern Ontario is expected to be cloud-free on Monday, so follow your local forecast closely!" Environment Canada said in a social media post.
The question remains whether the cloud cover will be patchy enough to view the eclipse.
The forecast for eastern Ontario cities such as Ottawa, Cornwall, Brockville and Kingston currently show a mix of sun and clouds with double-digit temperatures.
Belleville's forecast on Saturday showed overcast skies, but was later updated to show "mainly cloudy" conditions on Monday.
While forecasts show cloud cover, conditions can change quickly and are often hard to predict.
Environment Canada senior climatologist David Phillips says as the eclipse moves into eastern Ontario, around Kingston and Cornwall, conditions look to be slightly better than in southern Ontario, but still favour clouds.
"The further east you are, the better," Phillips said.
"But even with clouds, it doesn't make the experience less awesome."
Environment Canada had originally predicted blanket cloud cover in the Niagara region and cities around Lake Erie's shores, but later updated the forecast to show a mix of sun and clouds.
The forecast looks more favourable as the eclipse moves into southern Quebec, with Montreal and Sherbrooke calling for clear skies.
Some good news for worried eclipse enthusiasts – no rain is predicted for cities along the eclipse's path and above seasonal temperatures are expected.
"The interesting thing is, you will actually be able to feel the temperature drop during the eclipse," Phillips said.
Cities such as Niagara Falls and Kingston are expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors during the eclipse, which is expected to move through Ontario starting early Monday afternoon and into Quebec and the Maritimes before exiting continental North America on the coast of Newfoundland at 5:16 p.m. NST.
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News Ottawa's Jackie Perez
CTV News Ottawa will have special live coverage of Monday's solar eclipse.
Watch CTVNewsOttawa.ca from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 8. You can also tune in to Newstalk 580 CFRA for continuing coverage.
CTV News will have coverage from Kingston, Brockville, Ottawa and the Niagara Region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.