Millions of Midwesterners could MISS the once-in-a-lifetime eclipse due to bad weather, but it's mostly sunny skies for the rest of the US

  • The eclipse begins its cross-country trajectory over the Pacific Coast of Oregon late Monday morning and will reach South Carolina's Atlantic shore some 90 minutes later
  • But many in the Midwest will miss the event as rain, cloud and even fog is  predicted over several states
  • The deepest part of the shadow, or umbra, cast by the moon will fall over a 70-mile-wide, 2,500-mile-long 'path of totality' traversing 14 states 
  • Officials in Oregon and other states are warning drivers the eclipse could cause the worst traffic jams
  • Experts advise people to wear proper protective eyewear or risk lasting blind spots during the eclipse
  • Monday's event will be the first total solar eclipse spanning the entire continental United States since 1918
  • It is also the first total solar eclipse visible anywhere in the Lower 48 states in 38 years

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It is the celestial event of a lifetime, but millions of Americans may miss the first total eclipse in almost 40 years due to bad weather. 

Rain, cloud and fog is forecast today across the Midwest including parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin, obscuring residents' views of the eclipse.

The good news for the rest of the US, which is predicted to have clear and sunny skies by this afternoon, offering a perfect view of the lunar event. The best place to watch the eclipse may be the northeast, such as Oregon, which is predicted to be sunny with highs of 87F.

In Iowa, it's already cloudy and begun raining ahead of the eclipse which is expected to start around 11.46am local time and peaking at 1.12pm before it ends at 2.37pm. The Weather Channel predicts that showers and thunderstorms are likely with a 60 per cent chance of more rain.

Illinois remains clear and sunny at the moment, but Illinoisans shouldn't get out their eclipse glasses just yet. The Weather Channel predicts potential rain and thunderstorms, with a 40 per cent chance of rain this afternoon. But perhaps locals might be able to get a glimpse of the eclipse, which peaks between 1.17pm CDT and 1.25pm, before the weather turns. 

Rain, cloud and fog is forecast today across the Midwest including parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin, obscuring residents' views of the eclipse

Rain, cloud and fog is forecast today across the Midwest including parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin, obscuring residents' views of the eclipse

The good news for the rest of the US, which is predicted to have clear and sunny skies by this afternoon, offering a perfect view of the lunar event

The good news for the rest of the US, which is predicted to have clear and sunny skies by this afternoon, offering a perfect view of the lunar event

It is predicted to be nice and sunny on Monday in Portland with a high of 89 degrees as parts of the southeast will experience scattered thunderstorms with temperatures in the high 80s

It is predicted to be nice and sunny on Monday in Portland with a high of 89 degrees as parts of the southeast will experience scattered thunderstorms with temperatures in the high 80s

Scattered storms will also hit parts of Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri during the solar eclipse on Monday

Scattered storms will also hit parts of Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri during the solar eclipse on Monday

Some parts of the southeast will experience scattered storms on Monday during the solar eclipse

Some parts of the southeast will experience scattered storms on Monday during the solar eclipse

Showers are possible for some cities on the East Coast on Monday as it will be sunny in New York City and Boston on Monday

Showers are possible for some cities on the East Coast on Monday as it will be sunny in New York City and Boston on Monday

The lunar shadow of the total solar eclipse entered the United States near Lincoln City, Oregon at 9.05am (PST) and totality began at 10.18am (PST). The eclipse ended in Charleston, South Carolina at 2.48pm (EST), and the lunar shadow left the country at 4.09pm (EST)

The lunar shadow of the total solar eclipse on Monday will enter the United States near Lincoln City, Oregon at 9.05am (PST) and totality begins at 10.18am (PST). The eclipse will end in Charleston, South Carolina at 2.48pm (EST), and the lunar shadow leaves the country at 4.09pm (EST)

Today will be mostly cloudy in Kansas. Kansas City remains dry but cloudy, while there is light rain in Wichita as forecasters predicts a 40 per cent chance of more rain across the state, and thunderstorms.

They remain better off than in Wisconsin, where locals can barely see the next car on the road in front of them, let alone the moon obscuring the sun, in thick fog, particularly around the Marshfield area. The fog is expected to burn off around noon but forecasters say it will be a cloudy day with scattered showers and thunderstorms. 

Ohio, which is partially cloudy, will be hit with showers and thunderstorms after noon - just in time for the eclipse between 1pm and 3.30pm. 

South Carolina is also likely to find the sun and moon blocked by clouds and potential rainfall.

Meteorologist Mike Musher says overall about half the nation is likely to get favorable eclipse viewing weather. 

Musher added to Time: 'The Midwest is kind of in the unknown.'

He continued: 'Even though the probability for clouds is pretty low in the Northwest, there could be smoke that could inhibit a perfect view of the eclipse. It’s something to keep in mind.'

One private meteorologist and eclipse-chaser fears heart-breaking weather in Wyoming where clouds could hide the eclipse with tantalizing clear skies just off in the distance.

Clouds make it difficult to see the fiery ring around the blotted out sun.

While some may be forced to catch the celestial event on TV, for everyone else, twilight will fall around midday on Monday.

Americans will be treated to the sight of the moon's shadow passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but the halo-like solar corona, may draw the largest live audience for a celestial event in human history. When those watching via broadcast and online media are factored into the mix, the spectacle will likely smash records.

'It will certainly be the most observed total eclipse in history,' astronomer Rick Fienberg of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) said last week. 

The eclipse begins its cross-country trajectory over the Pacific Coast of Oregon in late morning. It will reach South Carolina's Atlantic shore some 90 minutes later.

The aerial photo above shows the estimated 30,000 people who have created their own temporary community on the grounds where the festival is being held in Big Summit Festival attendees in Oregon are in one of the perfect spots in the United States to see the rare eclipse on Monday in totality

The aerial photo above shows the estimated 30,000 people who have created their own temporary community on the grounds where the festival is being held in Big Summit Festival attendees in Oregon are in one of the perfect spots in the United States to see the rare eclipse on Monday in totality

Festival attendees in Oregon are in one of the perfect spots in the United States to see the rare eclipse on Monday in totality 

Festival attendees in Oregon are in one of the perfect spots in the United States to see the rare eclipse on Monday in totality 

Festival goers dance at the Oregon Eclipse Festival at Big Summit Prairie ranch in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest on Sunday near the city of Mitchell ahead of the total solar eclipse on Monday

Festival goers dance at the Oregon Eclipse Festival at Big Summit Prairie ranch in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest on Sunday near the city of Mitchell ahead of the total solar eclipse on Monday

Newlyweds Candice Archer (left) and Courtney Loechl (right) of Calgary, Canada dance at the Oregon Eclipse Festival

Newlyweds Candice Archer (left) and Courtney Loechl (right) of Calgary, Canada dance at the Oregon Eclipse Festival

Eclipse mania!: Thousands have flocked to the Burning Man-style Oregon Eclipse Festival, in the state's Ochoco National Forest. Revelers of the international seven-day gathering are anticipating Monday's total solar eclipse 

Eclipse mania!: Thousands have flocked to the Burning Man-style Oregon Eclipse Festival, in the state's Ochoco National Forest. Revelers of the international seven-day gathering are anticipating Monday's total solar eclipse 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ECLIPSE

During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, NASA explains.

This reveals the 'pearly white halo' of the sun's corona – its outer atmosphere, which is invisible to the naked eye at all other times.

For this phenomenon to take place, the moon and the sun must be perfectly aligned, allowing the moon to appear as though it's the exact size of the sun. 

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The total eclipse of the sun is considered one of the most spell-binding phenomena in nature but it rarely occurs over a wide swath of land, let alone one of the world's most heavily populated countries at the height of summer.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is warning drivers that the Monday celestial event could cause some of the worst traffic jams in the state's history. 

Authorities are worried about the traffic impact that the eclipse will have on small towns that are not equip to be flooded with people. 

Don Hamilton with ODOT said 'there may be a million people who descend on the state for the eclipse, especially in the 60-mile path of totality that spans the state from west to east,' KRON reported.   

In terms of audience potential, it is hard to top the United States, with its mobile and affluent population, even though the direct path is mostly over rural areas, towns and small cities. The largest is Nashville, Tennessee, a city of 609,000 residents.

Even so the advent of social media and inexpensive high-tech optics have boosted public awareness, assuring what many U.S. experts predict will be unprecedented viewership for the so-called 'Great American Eclipse.' 

Floridians Craig Wicks (left) and Rebecca Richardson sit on the roof of their vehicle during a drive-in movie at the Historic Columbia Speedway in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday

Floridians Craig Wicks (left) and Rebecca Richardson sit on the roof of their vehicle during a drive-in movie at the Historic Columbia Speedway in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday

Floridians Craig Wicks, right, and Rebecca Richardson prepare for a drive-in movie at the Historic Columbia Speedway

Floridians Craig Wicks, right, and Rebecca Richardson prepare for a drive-in movie at the Historic Columbia Speedway

The traffic to enter Grand Teton National Park outside of Jackson, Wyoming is heavy as people are flocking to the best eclipse viewing areas around the country on Sunday

The traffic to enter Grand Teton National Park outside of Jackson, Wyoming is heavy as people are flocking to the best eclipse viewing areas around the country on Sunday

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Oregon, as thousands flock to the small town to view the eclipse on Monday 

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Oregon, as thousands flock to the small town to view the eclipse on Monday 

Map of the drive time to the center-line of the eclipse, this map does not take into account extremely heavy traffic in areas that are currently seeing swells of revelers

Map of the drive time to the center-line of the eclipse, this map does not take into account extremely heavy traffic in areas that are currently seeing swells of revelers

People living in the northwest part of the country saw a total, or 100 per cent eclipse, while others only saw a percentage of the sun eclipsed by the moon 

People living in the northwest part of the country will have a 100 per cent chance of seeing the solar eclipse on Monday while those living on the northeast only have a 50 per cent chance 

The eclipse began on the West Coast in Oregon at 10.19am (PST) and made its way across the country to South Carolina at 2.41pm (EST)

The eclipse will begin on the West Coast in Oregon at 10.19am (PST) and make its way across the country to South Carolina at 2.41pm (EST)

HOW TO MAKE A CEREAL BOX ECLIPSE THEATER 

Anyone eager to catch a glimpse of Monday's historic total solar eclipse but doesn't want to pay exorbitant prices for special viewing glasses could make their own.

Since it is too dangerous to look at the sun during an eclipse with the naked eye, eclipse enthusiasts must use protection.

NASA has come up with ingenious low-tech and cost-friendly ideas to make sure people can look at the once-in-a-century eclipse while also preserving their eyesight, according to The Washington Post.

One solution is making protective eyegear using a 'cereal box personal theater'.

Find a pair of craft scissors, an empty cereal box, a piece of aluminium foil, tape, and either a small nail, or pushpin.

Then you need to take a piece of paper and trace the bottom of the cereal box.

Cut out the traced rectangle from the paper and put it in the bottom of the opened box.

Then cut square holes no bigger than 1.5 inches on the left and right side of the top of the cereal box.

Cut a piece of aluminium foil to cover the left hole and apply tape to cover it.

Then you need to poke a pinhole in the center of the foil. The smaller the hole, the sharper the projected image.

The sunlight is then supposed to go through the hole and be projected onto the piece of paper on the bottom of the cereal box.

All you have to do is look through the other hole and enjoy the show.

During the eclipse, you will see the moon getting in the path of the sun.  

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