Why the weather changes during a total solar eclipse
Temperature changes happen quickly because an eclipse produces a rapid drop and return in solar heating, almost like a fast-moving sunset followed by sunrise.
Not only does day turn to night under totality, our surroundings also change. Try to notice these changes under the total eclipse.
A total solar eclipse does more than briefly turn day into darkness. As the moon blocks the sun, the sudden loss of solar energy can temporarily change temperatures, winds, humidity and even cloud cover.
Temperatures often fall as sunlight fades because the ground is no longer being heated as strongly. NOAA says drops of 8 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit can occur in dry areas along the path of totality.
There have been reports of bigger temp drops during some eclipses. On Dec. 9, 1834, the Gettysburg Republican Banner reported, a total solar eclipse caused the temperature to drop by 28 degrees Fahrenheit in some locations.
During the April 8, 2024, eclipse, NOAA observed land surface temperatures fall by 8 to 12 degrees in some locations, with air temperatures dropping about 5 to 6 degrees.
[2026 Eclipse: Solar eclipse to be visible across parts of US, Canada Wednesday]
Relative humidity can rise at the same time. As air temperatures fall closer to the dew point, the percentage of moisture in the air increases even with no additional moisture.
Winds may also weaken or shift. Daytime heating normally helps create rising air and turbulence near the ground. When that heating suddenly decreases, air movement can briefly become calmer. The drop in air temperature in the path of totality can also generate a light breeze near the ground as cool air spreads outward.
Some small cumulus clouds can even shrink or disappear. These clouds often depend on warm air rising from the surface, and eclipse-related cooling can interrupt that process. Higher clouds or thick rain clouds are generally less affected.
The changes happen quickly because an eclipse produces a rapid drop and return in solar heating, almost like a fast-moving sunset followed by sunrise.
The strongest effects usually occur within the path of totality, where the sun is completely blocked. Areas experiencing only a partial eclipse generally see smaller changes.
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