Eclipse Countdown Begins as Weather Threatens to Spoil the View

Cloud cover and severe weather threatened to ruin Monday’s solar eclipse for the tens of thousands who flocked to Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, where meteorologists say some areas could experience “softball-sized” hail, isolated tornadoes, and wind gusts as high as 60 mph.

Among those giving a grim forecast was NBC News meteorologist Kathryn Prociv, who added that there is one silver lining for those who traveled hundreds—if not thousands—of miles to witness the eclipse: The worst of the storms will likely begin just after the eclipse rolls through between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. local time.

There isn’t much wiggle room, however. Severe weather from Dallas to Fayetteville, Arkansas, is expected to arrive as early as 3 p.m. and last through the night, Prociv said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.