AU74

I'm in Canton, TX and the NWS forecast discussion has injected some hope for seeing totality (~1:41-1:45 CDT): Eclipse Details: Despite being just ~12 hours from eclipse time, the cloud picture is really no more/less clear than it has been for the pasts everal days. One can find a model solution even in the very near term that supports any sky cover forecast desired, ranging from completely clear to overcast. However, the following currently seems to be the most likely scenario based on close scrutiny of model cloud cover and their typical performance/biases. An intrusion of low stratus will spread northward into Central Texas by mid-morning, perhaps accompanied by patchy fog. Conditions will likely be at their worst between roughly 9 AM and noon, and the picture may look rather bleak for many during this time period as the low deck impinges on the DFW Metroplex and points to the north and northeast. However, most guidance is becoming increasingly bullish on fairly rapid scattering of this low cloud layer between 11 AM and 2 PM, and this would allow for decent viewing for many areas. That being said, some unlucky spots likely will remain socked in with low cloud cover, particularly across Central Texas, where any very low stratus and/or fog mixesi nto a broken or overcast layer by early afternoon. Guidance is slightly more optimistic in North Texas, with much guidance depicting scattering and even localized dissipation of the low deck prior to eclipse time. While some last vestiges of low stratus may be present, at least some partial viewability does seem likely for many areas of North Texas based on this trend. Also by early afternoon, a plume of cirrus ahead of the previously discussed upper trough will be spreading in from the west, and these clouds are already present across far West Texas as of 1 AM. However, most guidance indicates that the main swath of the most dense cirrus will remain displaced mainly north of the CWA, with perhaps thinner and more scant cirrus across North Texas. As long as this cirrus does remain on the thinner side, many eclipse features would still be viewable through the veil. The low cloud evolution will be the main factor to watch over the next 12 hours, as a slower erosion of the low deck could still result in substantially worse viewing conditions due to its opaque nature. -Stalley

We are in Dallas with a group of old friends who arranged it all about a year ago. Looking more and more bleak and we are considering hitting the road towards northern Arkansas or beyond. Decisions, decisions...

Me too.

Bit of sleet or something here. ETA: I guess graupel would be the correct term.

My power went out at about 7:20 not long after the thundstorms swept though. Last time I could get the Pepco website to respond it said they'll restore it by 10:00. Not sure I believe it.

It was a total disaster.

Have a cabin rented SE of Dallas, as do several old friends of mine. Will be my ninth total solar eclipse.

Yep. Everything froze solid including the bay. During that cold snap, my brother and some friends ice skated along the Patuxent River from just below Brighton Dam to Rocky Gorge just below Route 29.

Hoping the long northern-most streamer hits me just north of Colesville rather than sliding just north and east.

Correct. We had something like 8 or 12 inches of snow followed by 5 inches of sleet that compacted it all down into a washboard of ice that stayed on the neighborhood streets for weeks. Was my daughter's 2nd birthday and we had relatives over for a party while the 'storm of the century" played out.

As was 66-79

Squall has arrived here in Colesville, MD.

We have tickets for a 7:30pm Arena Stage show tonight. We could drive Colesville to Greenbelt, take the Green line to the Waterfront station, walk a long block to Arena Stage or drive all the way and park at the venue. I'm leaning towards driving the whole way, but concerned about potential road closures. Thoughts?

Yeah, it was centered in Rockville but felt in NW DC, MoCo, PG, and Howard: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000m135/executive https://wtop.com/local/2024/01/very-scary-windows-shook-dc-maryland-residents-experience-reported-earthquake/

Thought I felt an earthquake! Checked USGS a couple minutes afterward, but it wasn't posted yet, then figured it nothing. Thanks for mentioning it!

Confirmed

Given all the cancellations there must be, it could be a great week to visit Disney World. Just sayin'

Cloverly area in the northern reaches of Silver Spring has about 3", though it's hard to tell with all the wind. We aren't west.

In Cloverly, MD we have several inches on everything else, but the pavement is still just wet.

Blowing like crazy a mile north of you.

Snowin' and blowin' in Cloverly, MD.

All snow in Cloverly, MD now. Coming down at a moderate clip.

If you turn your phone sideways the locations show. But it's still nicer if people do as you ask.

Joro spiders coming to the rescue. https://www.livescience.com/joro-spider-invade-east-coast

Not as much as the Ruble.