So much is riding on April 8s total solar eclipse. Hotels are booked, air flights are full, and people are poised all over the country to get to where the viewings great: the path of totality. But a little trouble seems to be on the horizon. Predicted rain and clouds may affect the experiencebut the east coast viewing should still be good. Heres what we know:

　　Whats the weather forecast for the 2024 eclipse looking like? According to weather.com, The portion of the path of totality in northern New England could have some of the best weather in the country for viewing. Additionally, parts of the midwest, the Central Plains, California, and the Great Basin, on the path of totality, may still have a chance for good viewing if rain holds off. Unfortunately, cloud cover will impact much of the rest of the country on Monday afternoon when the eclipse happens. Were looking at you, Texas. Sorry!

　　What happens if its cloudy during an eclipse? That all depends on what kind of clouds are involved. High, thin clouds won't completely obscure the eclipse, but low, dense, dark sun-blotting clouds could spoil the show, reports the Washington Post. But take heart in the fact that weather prediction isnt always precise. Spring is an especially dicey time of year for predicting cloud cover.

　　How to avoid clouds on eclipse day Heading for more solid weather in New England seems to be a good bet right now. We know people who have booked travel to various parts of the country and are waiting to cancel based on which region seems best for the eclipse viewing based on the weather. Right now, one of the best spots is said to be Baxter State Park, a gorgeous park in Maine that includes Mt. Katahdin, where you can frequently see moose. Its nice to add a moose to your eclipse and have a mooclipse.

　　How does the eclipse affect the weather generally? According to weather.com, youll notice a chill in the air when the moon blocks the sun, followed by winds weakening, according to weather.com. The winds can be very strange, running backward or turning 180 degrees counter-clockwise. As the sun returns, winds increase as the air warms. This is actually called an eclipse wind and can be much stronger than before the totality began. Thunderstorms can also arise if the air temperature drops enough.

　　How are animals affected? Bugs, bats and other critters that normally emerge from sleep to feed around sunset can sometimes be confused by the eclipses artificial sunset and come out accidentally. Embarrassing! Similarly, birds may take off when the sun returns from the eclipse, thinking its time to gather breakfast.

　　How to watch the eclipse safely The biggest safeguard is to wear the official eclipse glasses. Eye damage from gazing directly at the sun is a real thing. Check out our list of where to source free eclipse glasses. Also, be aware that if youre in the path of totality, your town might be overrun by astrotourists, so make sure to gas up and have supplies at home. And keep your pets safely with you. They dont need eclipse glasses, but they probably need your reassuring that the world isnt ending. Snacks can go a long way to comfort you and them, especially if eclipse-themed! Another tip: dont drive and watch. Read our general rundown of what to expect from the eclipse if you have been under a rock and missing the news!