Nubosidad en España

Cloudy on August 12th? A guide with information to help you choose your eclipse viewing zone for 2026

Quick summary: The total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, will cross northern Spain at sunset, with local peaks around 8:30 PM CEST. Historically, the Cantabrian coast has barely enough clear skies on that date, while the Ebro Valley and the interior of the Northern Plateau usually have a much better chance. Your plan: combine favorable weather with a clear western horizon.

What you need to know:

This is climatology, not a forecast . We look at the typical weather conditions for August 12th near sunset; it doesn't tell you what will happen that day, but it reduces the risk of choosing the wrong location. For the actual forecast, consult AEMET during the week of the event.

Useful viewing window : between 8:15 PM and 8:45 PM CEST, depending on the area. In cities within the path of totality, such as Oviedo and Zaragoza, the peak falls around 8:28 PM–8:29 PM. Translation: The sun will be very low; your enemy is not just the cloud, but also a building or a hill to the west .

Why the differences: In August, Spain shows a north-south gradient in cloud cover: minimal inland and along the Ebro River, and persistent along the Cantabrian coast. The official map of average cloud cover for August illustrates this at a glance.

Where does it usually turn out best?

Top 10 "safest" autonomous communities with the lowest probability of cloud cover

  • Extremadura — 13% covered (estimated).
  • Castilla-La Mancha — 15%.
  • Community of Madrid — 16%.
  • Andalusia — 18%. (Seville 15%, Costa del Sol 21%).
  • Aragon — 19%. (Zaragoza).
  • Castilla y León — 26% (provincial average: VA 19%, LE 29%, SO 27%, BU 31%, PA 23%).
  • Region of Murcia — 28%. (Murcia).
  • Valencian Community — 31%. (Valencia).
  • Catalonia — 33% (Barcelona 38%, Lleida 27%).
  • Balearic Islands — 35% (Palma 36%, Alcúdia 34%).

Practical tip: Establish two "Plan A / Plan B" points 60–90 minutes apart by road within the band. If at 7:30 PM you see strata banks to the west, move inland or gain elevation. (The interactive map and KML file help you stay within the entire area.)

Top 10 Autonomous Communities with the highest probability of cloud cover

  • Asturias — 58% (Oviedo; Gijón 54%)
  • Basque Country — 58% (Bilbao)
  • Canary Islands — 56% (large island range: Arrecife 35%, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 63%, Las Palmas 79%)
  • Cantabria — 56% (Santander)
  • Galicia — 54% (A Coruña 54%; Lugo 52%)
  • Chartered Community of Navarre — 48% (Pamplona)
  • La Rioja — 38% (Logroño)
  • Balearic Islands — 35% (Palma/Alcúdia)
  • Catalonia — 33% (Barcelona/Lleida)
  • Valencian Community — 31% (Valencia)

You play the lottery more here. Can you see it? Of course. Is it the place with the best odds? No.

How to read the “quick” cloud cover map

Look at this official average cloud cover map for August (2001–2017): lighter shades dominate the interior and the Ebro Valley; darker shades, the northern coast. It's not specific to the eclipse's time frame, but it matches the percentages of cities in the list above. Use it as an initial filter to choose a province.

Winning route in 3 steps

Secure the totality band. You will only see the corona within the band. Open the interactive map and/or KML file and mark your point.

Filter by weather using the August cloud cover map: if you're hesitating between the coast and the interior, the interior usually wins.

Check the horizon at the same time today (or any clear day): Can you see the sun at 8:30 p.m. without any obstructions? Perfect; if not, change your viewing spot. (This tip was also recommended by mainstream media in the lead-up to the event.)

Mini-FAQ

What exact time will it be total in my city?

It depends. Examples: Oviedo (maximum 20:28, total ~1m 49s), Zaragoza (maximum 20:29, ~1m 24s). Check your location on the official map.

Is it really cloudier in the north in August?

Yes. The Atlas shows July-August as the months with the least cloud cover across the country, but the Cantabrian coast maintains medium to high cloud cover.

Will there be any nice photos?

Of course! It's a sunset eclipse. The sky may turn orange, and the corona will be visible if you're there for totality. Just remember: ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses are required for all phases except totality. (And don't look directly at the sun if you're unsure about the sky conditions.)

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