Clouds threaten Norway’s solar eclipse viewing

Cloudy weather could prevent much of Norway from seeing Wednesday’s extensive solar eclipse, Dagbladet reports. Rogaland and eastern Finnmark have the best chances of clear views.

The eclipse will last about one hour and 50 minutes as the Moon passes in front of the Sun. Its maximum phase will occur between 19.30 and 20.00, with 81 to 85 per cent of the Sun covered across mainland Norway and up to 91 per cent on Svalbard.

It will begin at 17.34, reach its maximum at 19.46 and end at 21.58. The eclipse will be total along a narrow path stretching from Siberia across the Arctic Ocean, eastern Greenland, western Iceland, the Atlantic and northern Spain before ending in the Mediterranean near Mallorca.

“I think we are a little unlucky,” duty meteorologist Aslaug Skålevik Valved told Dagbladet on Tuesday.

She said Rogaland and eastern Finnmark offered the strongest chances of seeing the eclipse. Larger areas including Agder, Telemark, Vestfold and Østfold could also have better conditions, particularly closer to the coast. Parts of Nordland may also be fortunate.

The chances are smallest in Sogn and Fjordane, Møre and Romsdal, Trøndelag, southern Nordland and Troms. High cloud could still obstruct the view in places where the overall conditions appear more promising.

Later on Wednesday evening and during the night into Thursday, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak. The meteorologist said cloud cover appeared likely to break up in several places by then, although it was uncertain whether this would happen too late.

The eclipse is the first extensive solar eclipse visible in Norway since 2015. The Perseids are an annual event and are strongest and most visible on August 12.