Solar eclipse 2017: Michigan viewing in jeopardy thanks to cloud cover

(Read the updated Michigan eclipse forecast here)

Oh, that Michigan weather.

For those looking forward to viewing Monday afternoon's solar eclipse in Michigan, especially in the lower part of the state, you're going to face one more major obstacle: Cloud cover.

As of Sunday morning, the Detroit metropolitan area - along with much of the lower peninsula of Michigan - is looking at about at least 70-80% cloud cover in the early- to mid-afternoon Monday.

[No viewing glasses for the solar eclipse? No problem. Here's how you can still view it.]

The solar eclipse - with a path of totality stretching coast-to-coast across the United States - is expected to hit Detroit sometime around 2:28 p.m. Monday. And, with a viewing window of only several minutes, clouds may get in the way of the sun.

"Pretty much the entire state, all of lower Michigan, is looking at cloud cover," said Steve Considine, meteorologist for the National Weather Service's White Lake office.

"It's looking like it's going to be pretty cloudy in the afternoon."

More Solar Eclipse 2017 coverage:

No storms are in the forecast until late Monday night. The high is projected at 86 degrees, according to Weather.com.

Could this forecast change? In short, yes.

"There could be some changes in the forecast, particularly with respect to cloud cover tomorrow," Considine said. "So there’s certainly a chance we could get some breaks in the afternoon. But it’s looking pretty cloudy."

Where to go?

So that's a bit of a bummer. So what now? Well, if there is too much cloud cover where you're at, you can still view the solar eclipse in all its glory on your phone thanks to USA TODAY Network.

That, or you can try to make a last-minute drive to somewhere where the eclipse may be more visible. The Upper Peninsula is projecting less cloud cover, but still in the 40-50% range, according to this National Weather Service map.

Another option is to drive down south to Kentucky or Tennessee, where the path of totality crosses. But be wary of extra traffic headed that way because you won't be the only one heading there!

[Unfortunately, you'll probably be dead before Michigan's next total eclipse.]

Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianManzullo.

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