UK weather maps show millions of Brits may miss solar eclipse 2026 on Wednesday

UK weather maps show millions of Brits may miss solar eclipse 2026 on Wednesday Weather forecasting models suggest some parts of the UK will see significant cloud cover on Wednesday evening, meaning several areas may miss out on the full solar eclipse experience People in the UK will be able to see an almost total solar eclipse for the first time this century on Wednesday - but millions of us might miss out. Wednesday evening will be the first time since 1999 that people in the UK and Ireland will see 90-96% of the Sun covered by the Moon. And it will be the last opportunity to do so until 2081. The eclipse is expected to start at around 6pm, peak shortly after 7pm, and come to an end at around 8pm - although exact start, end and peak times vary depending on where you are in the UK. Sadly though, weather models suggest there could be significant cloud cover over huge swathes of the UK on Wednesday evening - meaning some areas may miss out on what may be a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. The GFS weather model currently projects significant cloud cover in Northern Ireland, Scotland, the far north of England, some eastern areas, the Midlands and parts of North Wales for 7pm on Wednesday. In Northern Ireland, the model suggests cloud cover may vary from 80-100%. Similar totals are projected over most of Scotland, although clearer skies may come in the far north. Some English counties such as Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham and Lincolnshire may also see 80-100% cloud coverage at 7pm, the maps show. Can you still enjoy the solar eclipse if it's cloudy? Thankfully, cloud cover doesn't mean you'll not experience anything from the eclipse on Wednesday. Patricia Reiff, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, who has seen 20 eclipses, previously told Time Magazine: "If you are under the clouds, it’s still going to get dark. "If clouds are present, the eclipse will still be evident and it should still be incredible to experience, with a dramatic change in the atmosphere when the daylight darkens to night. "The temperature noticeably drops, and with it, birds and other typically vocal wildlife become quiet, changing to their nighttime behaviour. It’s intriguingly eerie and a unique event to witness."