Solar eclipse weather forecast: Where will clouds ruin your view?

The Great American Eclipse will happen as scheduled from Oregon to South Carolina on Aug. 21. But whether or not you see it depends entirely on the weather.

Though far from definitive, meteorologists can now make general predictions about where clouds and/or showers could ruin your view of the sky spectacle. 

The best weather conditions are expected to be from the interior Northwest into Kansas and Nebraska, AccuWeather meteorologist Dave Samuhel said. Clear skies there should lead to ideal views of the eclipse.

Some of the worst views could be along both coasts: Near the Pacific coast in Oregon (where the eclipse starts) and near the Atlantic coast in South Carolina (where the eclipse ends.) In Oregon, that would be due to low morning clouds blowing in from the Pacific.

In South Carolina, the poor view would be due to typical afternoon summertime thunderstorms. 

Eclipse prep: 10 of the best places to catch the eclipse

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also possible from Missouri toward the Southeast. "You may have to cross your fingers poorly-timed thunderstorms don't block your view," said Weather Channel meteorologist Jon Erdman.

Another wild card in the Southeast would be a tropical cyclone (either a storm or hurricane). Historically, however, its pretty unlikely: In the past 50 years, there have been only four tropical cyclones active very near or over the U.S. on August 21, weather.com said.

A swirl of clouds that's now far out in the Atlantic could develop into a storm, but it's too far away to make any accurate predictions. AccuWeather said that next Monday, the system will likely be offshore and impact the Southeast only after the eclipse is over.

Remember that if you're not in the "path of totality" you'll still get to see a partial eclipse anywhere else in the U.S.