Millions of Americans are counting down the days until August's rare total solar eclipse, the first to cross the nation coast to coast in nearly 100 years.
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While there are a variety of excellent viewpoints for you to catch the celestial event in all its glory, it all comes down to where you'll find the clearest skies on Monday, Aug. 21, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com.
Thankfully, researchers at the University of Idaho created a weather map based on historical data showing where you're most likely to experience completely clear skies.
The team at the university's College of Natural Resources collected 16 years worth of daily satellite observations from the NASA Terra Satellite's MODIS sensor and used multiple NASA datasets to develop the "Clear Sky Probability Map."
"There have been many maps created to document the path of the eclipse through the United States and the world," associate professor Luigi Boschetti said on the university website. "However, this map is unique because we have added information on the probability of clear skies – meaning how well you will actually be able to see the eclipse from where you are located in the U.S."
Based on historical data, the western United States (mostly colored in blue hues) has the highest chance of experiencing clear skies.
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However, as the eclipse travels east, viewing conditions will get worse.
Here's a closer look at the researchers' prediction for Georgia, where completely clear skies are not as typical as the western United States:
Another map, developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, further shows predicted cloudiness on the day of the eclipse based on historical data, the Washington Post reported.
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NOAA researchers relied on 10 years of data collected from ground observations instead of satellite data to create the Average Historical Cloudiness map for Aug. 21.
While the University of Idaho's map shows the likeliness of having totally clear skies on Aug. 21, NOAA's map indicates the average percentage of cloudiness in each area.
NOAA researchers found coastal regions and areas east of the Mississippi River may be more susceptible to cloudier conditions on Aug. 21 compared to other areas.
They identified Rexburg, Idaho; Casper, Wyoming; Lincoln, Nebraska and Carbondale, Illinois as areas that historically experience clear skies during that time.
How “viewable” are popular cities in Georgia?
Using the NOAA’s interactive map, here’s a list of how “viewable” the eclipse will be in 13 Georgia cities, including typical cloud conditions (clear, few scattered, broken or overcast conditions):
Rome at 2:34 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 73 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
Cartersville at 2:35 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 72.5 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
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Atlanta at 2:36 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 67.5 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
Atlanta (near DeKalb Peachtree Airport, Brookhaven) at 2:36 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 68.1 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
Atlanta (near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport) at 2:36 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 42.7 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Scattered or broken
Atlanta (Discovery Boulevard near Mableton) at 2:36 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 66.1 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Few
Peachtree City at 2:36 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 67.5 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear
Columbus at 2:37 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 63 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Broken or overcast
Gainesville at 2:37 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 65.9 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear, few or broken
Athens at 2:38 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 70.7 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
Macon at 2:39 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 68.5 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear, few or broken
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Warner Robins at 2:40 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 54.1 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Scattered or broken
Albany at 2:40 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 60.5 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Scattered or broken
Augusta (near Daniel Field Airport) at 2:41 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 71.2 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
Augusta (near Augusta regional airport) at 2:42 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 74.9 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Clear or few
Valdosta at 2:43 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 42.7 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Broken
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Savannah at 2:45 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 52.6 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Broken, scattered or few
Savannah (near Hunter Army Airfield) at 2:46 p.m.
Viewable percentage: 41.5 percent
Typical cloud conditions: Broken
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