Solar eclipse to be viewable by Mid-Southerners on Sunday

On Sunday, May 20, an annular eclipse of the Sun will be visible within a narrow corridor along Earth's northern Hemisphere, beginning in eastern Asia, crossing the North Pacific Ocean, and ending in the western United States.  However, much of North America, including the Memphis metro, will be able to view a partial solar eclipse just before, and as, the sun sets for the evening.  This eclipse marks the first annular eclipse visible in North America since May 1994.  The last total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous 48 states was in 1979.  The next is a highly anticipated event in 2017.

Red area indicates where the annular eclipse can be viewed.  Credit: NASA GSFC

The specific for Memphis:
 - Partial eclipse begins: 7:28pm
 - Partial eclipse ends: 8:00pm (sunset)
 - Degree of obscuration: 33% (1/3 of the sun will be eclipsed)

A picture of an annular solar eclipse taken from space by the joint Japanese-American Hinode satellite on Jan. 4, 2011.
Photo credit: Hinode/XRT.

A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking out a portion of the sun from viewing.  A total eclipse is when the sun is completely blocked by the moon. An annular eclipse, like this one, is when the moon passes directly in front of the Sun, but does not completely obscure it, creating a "ring of fire."  The annular eclipse will only be viewable along a relatively narrow path described above. Those around that path will be treated to a partial eclipse, in which a "bite" appears to be taken out of the sun.

Partial solar eclipse

We remind you that you should NEVER look directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, as you risk serious and permanent eye damage or blindness.  There are several suggestions for viewing an eclipse on the Exploratorium website.  These include putting a pinhole in one piece of cardboard, then projecting the light through the pinhole onto another sheet of white cardboard.  Or, you can also try looking at the ground underneath a leafy tree.  The  gaps between the leaves will shine on the ground in the shape of the sun!

Remember that the event will occur just before sunset, so viewing may be difficult.  Just remember NOT to look directly at the sun!  There will be plenty of cool pictures on the internet late Sunday evening and Monday for you to check out!  In the meantime, we'll cross our fingers that sky conditions will permit optimal viewing.  Overcast conditions are currently not expected, though a partly cloudy sky is.

A video by NASA explains this impressive event in more detail.
Complete detail on this eclipse, also by NASA, can be found here.
Here is a map of the western USA showing where the annular eclipse will be seen completely.

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For weather information for Memphis and the Mid-South, where and when you need it, visit MemphisWeather.net on the web, m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone, download our iPhone or Android apps, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Mother's Day weekend forecast - not exactly what momma deserves!

Lots of activities going on this weekend, even though Memphis in May has no major outdoor festivities planned.  There still is Greek Fest and, of course, Mother's Day.  We all know our mothers deserve the very best because without them, we wouldn't be here!  Unfortunately, the weather is not going to be all that cooperative, so pick a restaurant that doesn't make it's "wait list" stand outside!  The only potential good news out of the weather pattern is that it won't be hot and it won't be severe!

Telltale clouds moved overhead today, indicating an approaching weather system.  These clouds are ahead of a weak surface low that will move from the western Gulf Coast to the southeastern U.S. by Sunday.  It is accompanied by an upper level low that will also affect the area.  Precipitation amounts this weekend won't be off-the-charts, but everyone should get a beneficial rain in the 24 hours between mid-day Saturday and mid-day Sunday.  Average amounts should be somewhere in the 1" range during that time frame.

Low pressure over TX is sending clouds across the Mid-South today. The low will be responsible for rain chances this weekend.

As for exact timing, a few of the computer models finally started coming into agreement today and it appears that, while a few showers are possible as early as Saturday morning, the bulk of the rain will hold off until late morning, though it will remain showery and intermittent through afternoon. By evening, the main "slug" of moisture will move over and steady rain is likely Saturday night. By Mother's Day morning, steady moderate rain should be tapering off, though we expect to see light showers stick around much of the day as the upper low moves near.  All rain should be done by Sunday evening, leading into a dry work week with moderating temperatures. Very little thunder is expected with this system as it moves by to our south, keeping the instability and deeper moisture suppressed towards the Gulf Coast.  Flooding is also not expected to be an issue with only 1" or so of rain spread over a 24-hour period.

GFS model precip amounts through Sunday evening. Memphis is the black dot near center. MWN forecasts ~1" of rain this weekend for the metro.

Highs this weekend will be mainly in the mid 70s owing to the showers and cloud cover.  Overnight lows will be mild - near 60 or slightly higher. Next week, we'll see highs rise from near 80 early in the week to perhaps the upper 80s by week's end.  For the complete forecast, visit the MWN Forecast page on MemphisWeather.net.

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For weather information for Memphis and the Mid-South, where and when you need it, visit MemphisWeather.net on the web, m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone, download our iPhone or Android apps, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.