WEATHER

The latest solar eclipse weather forecast: Clouds could mar view in Oregon, South Carolina

Doyle Rice
USA TODAY
In this May 20, 2012, file photo, a solar eclipse is seen from downtown Denver as the sun sets behind the Rocky Mountains.

The West is the best ... for eclipse viewing, anyway.

During Monday's total solar eclipse, the best weather conditions will likely be from interior Oregon to Idaho, where clouds are expected to be few and far between, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Dave Samuhel.

However, right along the coast of Oregon, where the total eclipse begins, pesky morning clouds could mar the view. 

In the central U.S., a few morning thunderstorms could rumble through parts of the path of totality in Nebraska, northeast Kansas and Missouri, according to weather.com.

But the timing of the eclipse in the nation's heartland, roughly midday into early afternoon, could allow any morning storms to die off by the time the celestial event occurs.

Along the Mississippi River in Missouri and Kentucky, where the longest period of totality occurs, a clear to partly cloudy sky is forecast.

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Finally, a few scattered showers and thunderstorms could ruin the view in South Carolina, where the eclipse exits from the U.S. into the Atlantic.

Even if you aren't in the path of totality, everyone in the U.S. will be able to see a partial eclipse. Folks in the Desert Southwest, Texas and the Ohio Valley should have the best view of the partial, according to AccuWeather.

Eclipse viewers in the Upper Midwest and in the Southeast, including most of Georgia and Florida, are likely to contend with annoying clouds and showers.

Based strictly on past weather conditions, Casper, Wyo., has an 88% chance of clear skies on Aug. 21 — the highest percentage of any U.S. city. Both Nashville and Columbia, S.C., have only a 44% chance of clear skies, according to the historical data.

At 53%, it's pretty much a toss-up in Charleston, S.C.