Partial lunar eclipse set for Thursday night amid mixed cloud forecasts across U.S.

A partial lunar eclipse will be observable in North and South America on Thursday night, August 27, into the early hours of Friday, August 28. Forecast models suggest that scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop in parts of the United States, potentially limiting clear views of the event.

In the Northeast, most models indicate scattered showers and thunderstorms from the mid-Atlantic to New England, which could intermittently obscure the eclipse. The South, from Virginia and the Carolinas to Florida and the lower Mississippi Valley, may also see scattered storms, though conditions could remain clear enough for most observers, particularly in Oklahoma and Texas.

The Midwest is expected to enjoy relatively good viewing conditions, except for possible thunderstorms over the Central Plains that could affect nearby areas of Iowa and Missouri. The West, aside from isolated showers in the Rockies or Desert Southwest and any wildfire smoke, is forecast to have high pressure and clear skies, offering favorable viewing.

The eclipse will be fully visible over much of eastern North America and South America, while observers in Europe and Africa will see the moon set during the event. In the western United States, western Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, the moon will rise as the eclipse begins. The partial eclipse will last about 3.5 hours, peaking at 12:13 a.m. EDT.