**Cloudy Nightmare:** Will New Jersey Skies Ruin the Rare Solar Eclipse on April 8?

Newark, New Jersey residents are eagerly awaiting the rare solar eclipse set to grace the skies on Monday, April 8. However, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether or not cloudy weather will obstruct their view of this celestial event.

Weather forecasters in the region are closely monitoring the conditions and providing insights into what sky watchers can expect. The National Weather Service’s New Jersey office indicates that the day will start with mostly sunny skies but warns of potential mid-level cloud formations in the afternoon, coinciding with the eclipse’s peak.

Despite the possibility of some clouds, the forecasters remain optimistic about the viewing conditions for the solar eclipse, anticipating a decent experience for sky gazers across the area. Additionally, an interesting weather phenomenon may occur during the eclipse, with temperatures potentially dropping by 10 degrees or more due to the decrease in solar radiation.

In neighboring New York City and northeastern New Jersey, the regional office of the National Weather Service expects mostly sunny skies during the eclipse, with thin cirrus clouds possibly drifting across the sky in the afternoon. This forecast aligns with a low chance of cloud cover foreseen by AccuWeather forecasters for the same areas on Monday.

Throughout the Garden State region and New York City, sky watchers will witness about 90% of the sun being obscured by the moon during the eclipse, creating a striking crescent shape in the sky. Experts emphasize the importance of wearing solar eclipse glasses to protect one’s eyes during the event, cautioning against looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection.

As the solar eclipse unfolds, observers can expect to see the moon gradually move across the sun, creating a crescent-shaped appearance akin to a “cookie with a bite taken out of it.” Even though the sky will not darken completely like during a total eclipse, the partial eclipse promises a unique and awe-inspiring sight for all who witness it.