Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight with mixed cloud cover in Northern California

The Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak overnight from Wednesday into Thursday morning. Weather forecasts indicate scattered clouds across Northern California on Wednesday that could intermittently obscure the display, while conditions are expected to improve on Thursday night.

Astronomy enthusiasts are advised to view the meteors before dawn, when activity is highest. Several local sites are recommended for optimal viewing, including the Community Observatory in Placerville, which will be open from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (free admission, $2 parking). Additional suggested locations are the El Dorado Trail parking lot near Placerville, Ice House Observation off Ice House Road in El Dorado County, and vista points along Highway 20 between Nevada City and the I-80/20 interchange. Stargazers can also select dark-sky spots by consulting a light-pollution map.