Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - While meteorologists will tell you that forecasts within 72 hours are much more accurate, at least the updated early look at the Total Solar Eclipse for the Buffalo-Niagara region for Monday, April 8 is encouraging.
The latest cloud cover forecast released by AccuWeather meteorologists shows the best viewing for totality is expected to be the furthest northeast along the path, nearly touching the Western New York boundary.
"We're in a pretty favorable area," said AccuWeather long range forecaster Joe Lundberg on WBEN Tuesday. "It looks like partial sunshine. My only concern is for higher based clouds which could dim some the effects of the eclipse."
Lundberg is also looking for warmer temperatures, in the low 60's, and no precipitation during Monday's event.
The majority of the path of totality falls within a 'high risk' or 'moderate risk' of cloud cover for the rare celestial event. The Buffalo-Niagara region is within the 'moderate risk' in the latest AccuWeather forecast a week prior to the event.
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"It would seem that the best places to be for observing the eclipse will run from southern Illinois and Kentucky eastward to the East Coast and up into New York State and New England," added Lundberg.
At a high risk for cloud cover and poor viewing conditions will be Missouri and Kansas, southward into central and east Texas, where it is likely to be rather cloudy with showers and perhaps some thunderstorms.
"Other areas with poor viewing conditions will be from Wisconsin westward through South Dakota and Nebraska to Washington and Oregon," Lundberg adds.
“Millions more people are going to see this upcoming eclipse compared to the 2017 eclipse,” said AccuWeather Astronomy Expert Brian Lada. “Not only that, it’s going to last longer.”
Stay tuned to News Radio 930 WBEN for the latest forecast, updated daily on air, as we get closer to the solar eclipse.