Some parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland may miss out on the eclipse later today due to a weather front moving in, Met Office forecasters have warned14:51, 11 Aug 2026Updated 09:06, 12 Aug 2026Some regions may miss out on this evening's solar eclipse, but there should be plenty of Brits who get an "excellent" view.‌Although the eclipse should be visible across the UK, cloud cover could obstruct the view. A weather front is expected to push into the northwest later today, with rain on the cards in Northern Ireland and Scotland.‌The Met Office published a map showing where is likely to have clear skies between 6pm and 8pm, when the eclipse is due to take place. The event will peak at just after 7pm, although the exact timings vary depending on location - and can be seen here.‌The map shows southern parts of England and Wales should have an “excellent” view of the eclipse.North Wales, northern England and southern Scotland can expect “good” conditions, whereas visibility will likely be “low to moderate” in Northern Ireland and the rest of Scotland.‌The Met Office has said eastern areas like Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray are most likely to have clear skies in Scotland. In an updated forecast, it also said there may be breaks in cloud cover in the central belt and southern Scotland.In total, there are 23 counties in the “excellent” region on the Met Office's map. They are all in either England or Wales.‌UK counties with ‘excellent’ view of solar eclipseNorfolkSuffolkEssexCambridgeshireNorthamptonshireWarwickshireWorcestershireHerefordshireGloucestershireOxfordshireBuckinghamshireBedfordshireHertfordshireBerkshireWiltshireSomersetDevonCornwallDorsetHampshireSurreySussexKentBBC Weather forecast for WednesdayBBC Weather forecasters say there should be "very little cloud" for most today. However, the BBC forecast does identify northern areas as where showers and "patchy cloud" could come.It states: "Dry and sunny for most with very little cloud around. Patchy cloud and a few showers for northern England and Northern Ireland. Heavier spells of rain for north-western Scotland, possibly thundery."Article continues belowWarning ahead of solar eclipseThis evening will bring the first near-total eclipse to the UK since 1999, and will be the last chance to see one until 2081.Safety-approved solar eclipse glasses have been selling out online. And consumers have been warned against using “knock-off” glasses instead. Eye doctors have also urged people to avoid looking directly at the Sun, with even brief exposure causing lasting vision damage.Only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection should be used, experts say. Glasses that do not carry the safety standards, or ordinary sunglasses, should never be used as they reduce glare, making it feel more comfortable to look at the Sun for longer, but still allowing harmful solar radiation to reach the retina.