With the solar eclipse just a day away, Spanish meteorologists are urging the public to look beyond the weather overhead when choosing a viewing spot. The Sun will sit low in the western sky, so clouds to the west, not just overhead, could determine whether it remains visible.
Benito Fuentes of the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) says the Sun will be about five degrees above the horizon during the eclipse. At that low angle, clouds west of a viewing site can lie between an observer and the Sun, even if the local sky appears clear. AEMET’s special eclipse bulletin, updated daily since last Friday, indicates that potentially obstructing cloud cover is expected mainly west of, and slightly north of, some observation zones.
How far away clouds can obstruct the view depends on their height and position. In the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) eclipse viewer, low clouds are marked green and may block the Sun from roughly 10 to 15 kilometers to the west; medium clouds, marked blue, may matter from around 20 to 60 kilometers away. High clouds are marked pink and are generally less likely to hide the Sun completely because they can transmit more sunlight. Low and medium clouds are denser, posing the greater risk of obscuring it.
Fuentes recommends comparing satellite imagery with conditions at the proposed viewing site instead of relying only on a point forecast. This can reveal cloud fields approaching from the west before they reach the observer. The overall outlook remains stable: intense heat and high or extreme wildfire danger are expected, while cloud cover should remain mostly localized. AEMET spokesperson Rubén Del Campo says the forecast has changed little since the first special bulletin, apart from a higher storm risk in the southeast.
Storms could develop in the Penibético system, affecting Albacete and Murcia, as well as Granada and Almería, where yellow alerts are in place. Isolated, weaker storms may also occur in parts of Teruel and northern Castellón. Most of Spain is expected to have clear skies, especially along the path of totality, while the Cantabrian coast remains the least favorable area. Northern winds are bringing humidity and dense low clouds to Cantabria and Asturias, as well as the north coast of Galicia. Mountain areas in Asturias may see clearer conditions, while central and coastal areas are more likely to remain cloudy. The Canary Islands are also expected to have intervals of low cloud on the northern slopes of the larger islands.
Conditions are less certain around the Alborán Sea, including the Andalusian Mediterranean coast, where low clouds and fog could reduce visibility. Convective clouds may also form after midday over the Penibético and Ibérico systems, along with parts of the Catalan and eastern Aragonese Pyrenees. These clouds typically develop during the afternoon and may dissipate toward evening, although their precise effect on viewing conditions can vary.
Temperatures are forecast to exceed 35°C across most of the peninsula. The Cantabrian region is expected to reach 25 to 30°C, while some Mediterranean coastal areas could reach up to 30°C; humidity may make conditions feel hotter. In the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys, temperatures could rise above 40°C, as they could in the Tajo and Guadiana valleys. Around totality, expected at about 8:30 p.m., temperatures may fall by 2 to 5 degrees. Anyone waiting outdoors should still plan for prolonged exposure to heat.
Wildfire danger is another major concern, with very high or extreme risk across much of mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. Moderate or high risk is expected in parts of northern Galicia and the Cantabrian area, as well as the eastern Pyrenees and middle Ebro. Southeastern Andalusia is also expected to face moderate or high risk. Authorities urge maximum caution to prevent fires during this period of elevated danger.
Those planning to observe the eclipse should monitor satellite imagery and regional updates alongside local forecasts. As highlighted in recent coverage of cloud risks for eclipse viewing in Spain, even small changes in cloud movement can affect visibility. Cloud cover and the risks from storms, heat and fire make preparation and flexibility impressive for anyone hoping to witness the event.
Solar eclipses are rare and draw impressive public interest in Spain. The last total eclipse visible from the country occurred in 2005, and the next will not happen until 2039. AEMET and other agencies provide real-time updates and satellite imagery to help the public assess conditions. Observers should also use certified eclipse glasses: looking directly at the Sun without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage. Local authorities in affected regions have issued additional guidance on safety and fire prevention during the event.
