Hoosier

St Louis afd seems more pessimistic. However they and Paducah mentioned how the models may be affected by not properly accounting for the reduced insolation. The HRRRx is supposed to be running with eclipse conditions so it will be interesting to see how it handles clouds/precip output around 18z Monday.

It's 4+ minutes on the center line from eastern Indiana southwestward. Almost 4 1/2 minutes by the time you get to Texas.

A little OT about the April 2024 total eclipse. If I did the proper research, it looks like that will be the longest duration total solar eclipse in the US since the June 16, 1806 total eclipse. A can't miss event, especially for anyone not able to get into the path of totality on Monday.

I'd def be feeling more confident around BNA.

I'm gonna have some degree of nervousness until I am viewing it. This isn't like missing a big snow where there's always some hope that the next one may come soon. We know we're not getting another shot at this for almost 7 years (at least in this country).

I thought I saw somebody in one of the forums saying they will be in Oregon. But you'll at least be one of the first. Incredible to think of how fast the shadow travels...

You can get these on regional views at TT

Even farther east... like Sainte Genevieve. It's basically on the Illinois border and if I'm trying to outrun clouds moving in from the west, then I may try to get farther away and head for KY.

Good luck. I am going to try to be as far east in Missouri as possible but if that doesn't look promising, then I should be flexible enough to get into southern IL or western KY. Just gonna try to stay away from Carbondale lol. I have abandoned any notion of trying to make the entire drive on Monday morning... that is just another stressor and I'd be kicking myself big time if traffic did me in.

You doing Nebraska?

I have these big road maps and drew the center line on there. Old school lol. But I'm not taking chances if I have to quickly relocate and internet/GPS is having problems.

It's close to the longest duration. I think the longest duration is in a state park to the east of there, but we are basically talking fractions of a second difference in duration of totality along the center line until you get well east of the area. Greatest eclipse (the moon's shadow passing closest to Earth) is near Hopkinsville, KY.

I think it's received increased attention because of 2024. But it's a decent sized town, near the center line, and relatively easy to get to. The crowds there should be huge.

Hmm, not on my end.

Good read about the logistical issues https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/local/trafficandcommuting/the-eclipse-could-bring-the-worst-traffic-jam-in-us-history-heres-how-states-are-trying-to-keep-that-from-happening/2017/08/18/a1bb07ea-8119-11e7-902a-2a9f2d808496_story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/08/18/total-solar-eclipse-weather-forecast-as-of-aug-18/

My first choice is eastern Missouri. If that's going to be affected by clouds spilling in from the west, then I will probably head to western Kentucky. Nebraska would be absolute last resort. Like you, I'm going to have to make a call with what to do with my hotel reservation (west of STL) in the next day or so. It's hard to have a ton of confidence in the forecast for the Missouri area at this point so I will most likely be making use of my room...get there Sunday and then wake up bright and early on Monday to evaluate the weather situation.

I'm just going to make sure I have a full tank when entering the totality zone.

Indeed, that is where it is at 1 pm central time.

Fyi, the Pivotal Weather maps have the totality path overlaid.

You get some eclipse edge effects that last longer, like Baily's beads. I've read that some veteran eclipse chasers will do the edge thing just for something different, but not recommended for most people who want the real show.

Don't quite me on this, but I think it's the Kansas City Star newspaper that the totality line passes through their parking lot. So yeah, the difference in conditions over short distances is amazing.

I saw a comment from someone who has seen total solar eclipses say that not knowing if you were in totality is like a woman not knowing if she ever gave birth.

If I do Missouri, I am looking at the St. Clair to St. Genevieve corridor in eastern MO. The center line runs through both of those places but I may try to get a little outside of a town to not deal with lights (I did read that some places are disabling the lights from turning on during the eclipse). Been thinking about how I want to experience this eclipse, and I am probably not going to seek out one of those organized viewing parties. This is my first total solar eclipse and I want to take it all in with minimal outside distractions, and I'm sure I'd be pissed if there's a bunch of cursing and hollering, etc.