Monday’s Solar Eclipse: Chicago to Witness Partial Sun Obscuration, Southern Illinois to Experience Totality

by: WGN-TV Tom Skilling Weather Center, Mike Janssen, Tom Valle

Posted: Apr 6, 2024 / 11:49 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 6, 2024 / 11:49 PM CDT

Showery Sunday, but clouds should clear out for Monday’s Solar Eclipse here in Chicago

Most of the wet weather should exit our region Sunday evening, then the cloud cover should clear out as we get into Monday

The umbra, penumbra, and the great shadow upon the earth

During Monday’s solar eclipse, the moon will cast a shadow on Earth that is about 300 miles wide.  There are two parts to the shadow.  The penumbra, where the Sun is partially obscured and what we’ll see in Chicago Monday afternoon.  Then there’s the umbra, where the sun is completely blocked.  People in southern Illinois, for instance, will experience the umbra, or totality.  

The sky conditions in Chicago currently look favorable for the partial eclipse.  The eclipse will begin at 12:51 PM in Chicago.  At 2:07 PM the eclipse will reach its max, with 94% of the sun blocked by the moon.  By 3:21 PM the eclipse will end.

If you travel to southern Illinois, you will be able to experience totality. Carbondale is one location where the umbra will occur.  At 12:42 PM the partial eclipse will begin in Carbondale. At 1:59 PM, the sun will be completely blocked by the moon.  Totality will last roughly 4 minutes and 8 seconds in Carbondale.  The partial eclipse will then conclude at 3:18 PM. The current forecast for southern Illinois looks favorable at this time, with the potential for high thin clouds impacting visibility.