Texas Spring 2024

[aspen]

The RDPS model on Pivotal Weather actually shows mostly clear skies over the Dallas area during the eclipse. I saw a few eclipse chasers on Twitter say that the model has been pretty reliable for them, but this just seems WAY too good to be true. Especially comparing it to every other model showing at least full high-level cloud coverage.

GFS is still showing low-level clouds encroaching on the Dallas/Fort Worth area just before totality. If that happens, goodbye any chance of seeing or photographing totality. If they hold off, I still have a chance of getting something through the upper-level clouds. I’d have to use very different exposure settings and slower shutter speeds (1/10 to 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 800-1250) than what I’ve done practice runs with (1/500 to 1/4000s, f/8, ISO 200), though.

[tolakram]

This is the model I've been using to predict clear skies for astrophotography. Except for some high clouds most of NE TX looks good IMO. Fingers crossed.



source: https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/?model=rgem&region=scus&pkg=cfractot&runtime=2024040606&fh=60

[cheezyWXguy]

The RDPS model on Pivotal Weather actually shows mostly clear skies over the Dallas area during the eclipse. I saw a few eclipse chasers on Twitter say that the model has been pretty reliable for them, but this just seems WAY too good to be true. Especially comparing it to every other model showing at least full high-level cloud coverage.

GFS is still showing low-level clouds encroaching on the Dallas/Fort Worth area just before totality. If that happens, goodbye any chance of seeing or photographing totality. If they hold off, I still have a chance of getting something through the upper-level clouds. I’d have to use very different exposure settings and slower shutter speeds (1/10 to 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 800-1250) than what I’ve done practice runs with (1/500 to 1/4000s, f/8, ISO 200), though.

Thanks for posting your camera settings. I was thinking about taking out the dslr if conditions permit, but it’s been years and I’ve forgotten a lot.

[bubba hotep]

That's a huge D3

[rwfromkansas]

NAM looks great for DFW west on clouds. But, too close for comfort. Even a small change would sock us all in.

Also, I was just going to use my phone, but I teach journalism. May have to run to school and get my tripod. Took Monday off.

[Brent]

Feeling good about my Arkansas idea. Ideally I can stay close to 40 around Russellville

[Cpv17]

I’m ready for this eclipse to be over with so we can go back to talking about the weather again.

[aspen]

The RDPS model on Pivotal Weather actually shows mostly clear skies over the Dallas area during the eclipse. I saw a few eclipse chasers on Twitter say that the model has been pretty reliable for them, but this just seems WAY too good to be true. Especially comparing it to every other model showing at least full high-level cloud coverage.

GFS is still showing low-level clouds encroaching on the Dallas/Fort Worth area just before totality. If that happens, goodbye any chance of seeing or photographing totality. If they hold off, I still have a chance of getting something through the upper-level clouds. I’d have to use very different exposure settings and slower shutter speeds (1/10 to 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 800-1250) than what I’ve done practice runs with (1/500 to 1/4000s, f/8, ISO 200), though.

Thanks for posting your camera settings. I was thinking about taking out the dslr if conditions permit, but it’s been years and I’ve forgotten a lot.

You’re welcome. Just remember that you’ll need a solar filter on your camera lens for the partial phase. My default settings for that are 1/1000s, f/8, ISO 200. For totality, I’ll probably be shooting between 1/200s to 1/1600s (if kept at f/8 and ISO 200) to get different parts of the corona…if I get a clear slot. If there are clouds of some kind, I’ll have to drastically change my exposure settings.

3km NAM is looking a little better for Dallas/FW. Patchy low clouds take longer to roll in, and shockingly there don’t seem to be any high clouds. Mid-levels remain clear. Perhaps there’s a chance of partially clear skies in Texas.

[Brent]

I’m ready for this eclipse to be over with so we can go back to talking about the weather again.

That and all the conspiracy theories like somehow this is different than every other eclipse

[gpsnowman]

I’m ready for this eclipse to be over with so we can go back to talking about the weather again.

I think there will be a lot of weather talk even just a few hours after the eclipse. Monday evening looks interesting. As well as the following few days.

[bubba hotep]

I’m ready for this eclipse to be over with so we can go back to talking about the weather again.

Obviously, it's just me, but the eclipse is of no interest to me. It's just the randomness of celestial objects spinning around above us. The fact that Halley was able to accurately predict a path of totality in 1715 is more impressive to me than what will happen tomorrow lol

[tolakram]

I’m ready for this eclipse to be over with so we can go back to talking about the weather again.

Obviously, it's just me, but the eclipse is of no interest to me. It's just the randomness of celestial objects spinning around above us. The fact that Halley was able to accurately predict a path of totality in 1715 is more impressive to me than what will happen tomorrow lol

Too bad, it's quite fun to watch, this will be my second and probably last unless I make it to 2045. Being in the shadow and seeing the brightness all around is neat. The part I don't get is wanting to look at the sun and see the moon in front of it. It's a bright circle with a slice out of it. /shrug I'm all about the shadow.

[rwfromkansas]

A lot less rain on the GFS than a few days ago in the long range, only a little over an inch for many. Euro has more and seems to be more consistent. Canadian also much heavier. Basically, everything disagrees with the lower GFS totals.

The GFS seems to be the most aggressive with clouds on eclipse day, which may be good since the ones that disagree have fewer clouds but more rain later in the long run. As for the eclipse being interesting, the last total one here in DFW was hundreds of years ago, and the next one is hundreds of years in the future, so that's why I care. I usually have zero interest in space.

Anyway, back to the weather. I would bet on a good rain. It's important to counter the La Nina to come. We need more rain west of DFW on those lakes.

[snownado]

I say to each his/her own with respect to Solar Eclipse interest.

We all have our "things" we nerd out about.

[Brent]

I say to each his/her own with respect to Solar Eclipse interest.

We all have our "things" we nerd out about.

I mean it's gonna be 20 years before it happens again. I get why it's such a big deal. For me personally I've always been annoyed I never went after the one in 2017 so this is kind of my chance I guess to do it right and move on

It looks like there will be plenty of weather to talk about soon

[Texas Snow]

After Monday, the next total solar eclipse in Dallas will be in 300 years. After Monday, the next chance of severe storms in Dallas will be Tuesday. After the next chance of severe storms Tuesday the next chance may be Wednesday.

[mmmmsnouts]

Fearing a washout on Monday I started reading up on the 2045 total eclipse. It follows a path similar to the 2017 eclipse - cuts from the northern reaches of California across the center of the country and hooks down through Florida. And the totality lasts even longer than this one, upwards of 6 minutes. The path of totality almost clips the northeast corner of Texas so you wouldn’t have to stray too far to see it. Of course… it’s 21 years away.

[gpsnowman]

Fearing a washout on Monday I started reading up on the 2045 total eclipse. It follows a path similar to the 2017 eclipse - cuts from the northern reaches of California across the center of the country and hooks down through Florida. And the totality lasts even longer than this one, upwards of 6 minutes. The path of totality almost clips the northeast corner of Texas so you wouldn’t have to stray too far to see it. Of course… it’s 21 years away.

Following winter weather in Texas might kill me before then.

[Brent]

Fearing a washout on Monday I started reading up on the 2045 total eclipse. It follows a path similar to the 2017 eclipse - cuts from the northern reaches of California across the center of the country and hooks down through Florida. And the totality lasts even longer than this one, upwards of 6 minutes. The path of totality almost clips the northeast corner of Texas so you wouldn’t have to stray too far to see it. Of course… it’s 21 years away.

Yeah 2045 is actually totality here in Tulsa and more than anyone has on Monday but again it's 21 years away lol I ain't convinced of anything with that one

I've always had a plan to go after this one for that very reason plus not trying in 2017. But hey some people spent thousands of dollars and it may be cloudy. I'm planning to be home that night lol

[ElectricStorm]

Just had a nice supercell come through here in Norman. Briefly looked concerning when it was over by Blanchard but luckily was never able to fully get going. Looks to be weakening pretty quick now. Not bad for a marginal risk.