Portland’s weekend began with a cloudy ambiance, casting a shadow over the much-anticipated solar eclipse. The high for the day was predicted to be a mild 66 degrees. This overcast condition spelled disappointment for many eclipse enthusiasts. According to the National Weather Service, except for a few regions in eastern Oregon, the clouds posed a significant obstruction.
Key Highlights:
- Cloudy Saturday morning in Portland with expected rain around 3 pm.
- Eclipse watchers faced disappointment due to cloud cover.
- Full annular solar eclipse, known as the “ring of fire”, began at 9:16 am on the central Oregon coast.
- Annular eclipse occurs when the moon is too far to block the sun completely, leaving a ring of light.
- Southern Oregon’s Klamath County showed some promise with scattered clouds at 8 am.
- Sunday in Portland forecasts a 30% chance of rain after 11 am.
The celestial event of the day, the full annular solar eclipse, was expected to commence at 9:16 am on the central Oregon coast, moving across the state. The duration of this “ring of fire” phenomenon depended on the viewer’s proximity to the center of a 90-mile-wide band, often termed the shadow of the eclipse. A solar eclipse is a result of the perfect alignment of a new moon between the Earth and the sun. An annular eclipse, distinct from a total solar eclipse, happens when the moon is too distant to completely obscure the sun, leaving a luminous ring visible.
In a twist of hope, southern Oregon’s Klamath County, which was brimming with visitors eager to witness the eclipse, presented a sky dotted with clouds at 8 am. This gave rise to optimism for a possible glimpse of the eclipse through the intermittent cloud cover. Weather predictions for the early morning were mostly cloudy, transitioning to partly cloudy later in the day, with temperatures ranging in the lower to mid 60s. Weather experts in southern Oregon hinted at potential breaks in the cloud cover, especially from the I5 corridor to just east of the cascades, coinciding with the eclipse’s timing. However, a dense mid-deck was expected to roll in later in the morning.
Looking ahead, Sunday’s forecast for Portland hinted at a 30% probability of rain post 11 am. Otherwise, the skies are likely to remain predominantly cloudy, with temperatures peaking at 71 degrees. Moreover, Monday promises more rain with temperatures hovering around 65 degrees.
Summary:
Oregon’s skies on Saturday were dominated by clouds, much to the dismay of solar eclipse watchers. While the full annular solar eclipse, also known as the “ring of fire”, began its journey across the state, the overcast conditions in many parts of Oregon hindered a clear view. However, regions like southern Oregon’s Klamath County offered a glimmer of hope with scattered clouds. As the state moves forward, the weather predictions for the upcoming days suggest a mix of rain and clouds, with temperatures remaining mild.
