Clouds around Carson City may limit 'Supermoon' eclipse viewing Sunday
Sky watchers take note: A total lunar eclipse will happen across the western U.S. Sunday evening, which coincides with the moon’s closest point to the Earth in its orbit, also known as the “super moon.”
The downside, however, is a large band of cirrus clouds is expected to spread across western Nevada Sunday night that may limit or obscure viewing of the eclipse, depending on the thickness of the cloud cover, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.
The eclipse will be in progress as the moon rises in the eastern sky around sunset, with the period of total eclipse taking place from around 7 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. The graphic above shows more precise times for each stage of the eclipse.
Supermoons happen when the moon reaches its full phase at or near the satellite's closest approach to Earth, and appears especially large and bright. The last supermoon eclipse was in 1982, and the next won't take place until 2033.
Mild and dry conditions are expected during Sunday’s eclipse with temperatures mainly between 70 and 80 for lower elevations, and in the 60s near the Sierra. Typical zephyr-type breezes are expected, southwest 10-15 mph with gusts 20-30 mph, except stronger gusts up to 40 mph on higher ridges.