ECLIPSE 2018: Will you be able to see the Super Blue Moon? Weather and visibility detailed

Eclipse 2018Getty

Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern parts of Michigan will see the thickest clouds

Unfortunately, the middle of the US will not provide the most ideal viewing situations – the lack of visibility is caused by a storm that is currently covering the west of Ontario.

A process called overrunning will occur when devastating winds blow thanks to the storm that will launch a stream of mild air across a zone of colder air.

Overrunning will bring clouds over northern and central Great Plains as well as parts of the Great Lakes.

The light of the super blue blood moon may shine through the thickening clouds, but this will cause residents in the area to be greeted with a distorted view overall.

Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern parts of Michigan will see the thickest clouds.

However, New England, New York, Piedmont and the south-east coast will have clearer views of the incredible event.

Texas, Oklahoma and California will also see clear skies.

The direction of an Arctic cold front positioned over the Plains states could impact the visibility over Washington state, Idaho and Wyoming.

Despite the forecast lack of visibility in some areas, the cloud could clear in time for observers to take in the super blue blood moon.

The rare total eclipse takes place on Wednesday, January 31, combining three lunar phenomena: A supermoon, a blue moon and a blood moon.

Viewers can expect to see a blue moon – the second full moon in a calendar month – orbiting closer to the Earth than usual, making it seem up to 14 percent larger in the sky.

If that wasn’t enough there will also be a total lunar eclipse, which is often described a blood moon because of the way the moon turns a gorgeous coppery red.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly behind the Earth’s shadow, or umbra, meaning it cannot receive any light from the Sun.

NASA program executive Gordon Johnston said: “The next full Moon will be on Wednesday morning, January 31, 2018, appearing ‘opposite’ the Sun at 8:27 AM EST.

“The Moon will appear full for about three days around the time of the full Moon, from Monday night through Thursday morning, possibly even into the early part of Thursday evening.”

The whole eclipse will be visible in Australia, eastern Asia and parts of Canada, while the west coast of the US is also set for some spectacular views.

Mr Johnston explained: “For the continental US, the viewing will be best in the West. Set your alarm early and go out and take a look.

“Weather permitting, the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii will have a spectacular view of totality from start to finish.”

Astronomer Brad Tucker, from the Australian National University, said that the red appearance of the moon is caused by light bending and filtering properties our the atmosphere.

He declared: “That red appearance is really the sunrise and the sunset of the Earth falling on the Moon.”

Below is a breakdown of what time totality will occur across the United States (All local times):

Washington DC – 7.51am to 9.07am

New York City – 7.51am to 9.07am

Chicago – 6.51am to 8.07am

Kansas City – 6.51am to 8.07am

Denver – 5.51am – 7.07am

Phoenix – 5.51am – 7.07am

Los Angeles – 4.51am to 6.07am

Seattle – 4.51am to 6.07am

Mr Johnson went on: “On the day of the full Moon, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, morning twilight will begin at 6:15 AM, sunrise will be at 7:15 AM, the Sun will reach a maximum altitude of 33.9 degrees at 12:22 PM, sunset will be at 5:28 PM, and evening twilight will end at 6:29 PM EST. 

“By the day of the full Moon after next, Thursday, March 1, 2018, morning twilight will begin at 5:43 AM, sunrise will be at 6:40 AM, the Sun will reach a maximum altitude of 43.7 degrees at 12:21 PM, sunset will be at 6:01 PM, and evening twilight will end at 6:59 PM EST.”

Unfortunately for British skywatchers, the eclipse takes place in the middle of the day UK time when the moon has already dipped below the horizon, so Britons will not be able to witness the spectacle even if there are clear skies. 

One astronomer said the eclipse is going to be “lovely and long” – especially in the eastern states of Australia. 

Eclipse 2018Getty

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly behind the Earth’s shadow

Tanya Hill of the Melbourne Planetarium said: “This one is going almost right into the centre of the Earth’s shadow, so it will be lovely and long.

“Slowly you’ll see that shadow move across the Moon until it completely engulfs it. That’s when we have the beautiful colour of totality forming.

“After an hour or so the Moon will start to emerge and you’ll start to see the moon brightening up as it completely drifts away from the Earth’s shadow.

Eclipse 2018NASA

The rare total eclipse takes place on Wednesday, January 31

“If you do have a telescope or binoculars you do get to see a better or closer view, but it’s certainly not required to watch that shadow cross.

“They’ll have a really fantastic view of this strangely large moon as it wanders into Earth’s shadow.”

Express.co.uk will have the stream from about 10.30am on January 31.