Partial solar eclipse to darken Sweden as weather varies

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across Sweden on Wednesday evening, with the best views likely in areas with clear skies, SVT reports. The Sun will be low above the horizon, making high ground and an unobstructed view to the west important.

The eclipse will be strongest over the Iberian Peninsula but will also be clearly visible in Sweden. The Moon will cover about 80 percent of the Sun in many parts of the country.

“The Sun will be quite low, close to the horizon,” SVT meteorologist Leon Lee said.

Clearer skies in several regions

Clear weather is expected along the west coast, on Gotland, in eastern Svealand and across large parts of northern Sweden. Elsewhere, cloud cover will be variable, although most of the clouds will be at high altitude.

The least favourable conditions are expected in Härjedalen and western Dalarna, where low clouds will move in from the west. Low clouds may also affect eastern Norrland, although forecasters hope they will be limited in extent.

Because the Sun will be close to the horizon, high clouds are generally not expected to cause problems. Low clouds, particularly in south-western Norrland, could block the view.

Look west, but not directly at the Sun

Terrain and buildings may obstruct the eclipse, so Lee advises viewers to choose a high location with a reasonably clear view to the west, where the Sun will set.

Astrophysicist Linn Boldt-Christmas said Europe had not experienced such a clear solar eclipse since 1999. She urged people not to look directly at the Sun unless they use approved solar eclipse glasses. The Sun should otherwise be viewed indirectly with suitable equipment.

Eclipse times across Sweden

All times are in Swedish summer time. In Kiruna, the eclipse begins at about 18:48, reaches its peak at 19:42 and ends at 20:34. A maximum of 81.7 percent of the Sun will be covered.

In Umeå, it runs from about 18:55 to 20:40, peaking at 19:48, with a maximum coverage of 80.5 percent. In Sundsvall, it runs from 18:58 to 20:43, peaking at 19:51, with 81 percent coverage.

In Stockholm, the eclipse begins at about 19:03, peaks at 19:56 and ends at 20:47, with 80.9 percent coverage. In Norrköping, the corresponding times are 19:05, 19:58 and 20:49, with 81.5 percent coverage.

In Gothenburg, the eclipse runs from about 19:06 to 20:52, peaking at 20:00, with 83 percent coverage. In Malmö, it begins at 19:10, peaks at 20:03 and ends at 20:55, with 83.3 percent coverage.

In Stockholm, Norrköping, Gothenburg and Malmö, the Sun sets before the eclipse is completely over, so its final phase will not be visible.