Maine Has the Best Weather in the Entire Country for Eclipse Viewing
I guess the nor'easter for Maine and New Hampshire was payment for some of the best weather to see the sun's total eclipse.
According to the Bangor Daily News, with the path of totality running through northwestern and northern Maine, the weather decided to cooperate for us!
The map above from NASA shows the 13 states that will be in the path of totality, with Maine being the last. Bangor Daily News broke down when cities and towns in Maine and New Hampshire will see the eclipse:
- 3:29 p.m. – Coos County in New Hampshire and northern Oxford and northern Franklin County in Maine (including Colebrook, Lancaster, and Pittsburg, New Hampshire, and Rangeley, Eustis, and Dallas, Maine).
- Between 3:30 p.m. and 3:33 p.m. – Towns like Jackman, Dover-Foxcroft, Clayton Lake, Houlton, Danforth, Ludlow, and Medway will have to turn on the lights.
The weather couldn't be more perfect, with lots of sunshine for great visibility and even warm temperatures as a bonus!
Does 'totality' really make a big difference?
It absolutely makes a huge difference. Brad Panovich, a meteorologist in Charlotte, North Carolina (where they will see about 98% coverage of the solar eclipse), explains it perfectly.
The sun will look like a full moon with a ring around it. If you are lucky enough to watch it, it will be pretty amazing. For Aroostook County, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. A total solar eclipse only repeats locations once every 400 years.
Don't forget to wear your certified solar eclipse glasses (if you were lucky enough to get some) and enjoy!