It promises to be the best meteor shower of 2023.
For those hoping to take a look Peak of the Geminid meteor shower Tonight, it looks like about half of the contiguous (48) states will have clear, starry skies; This is the perfect backdrop to watch this best of the year’s biggest meteor shows.
Check out our viewing map below, Here we divide things into three categories: Good, Fair, and Bad.
As far as the “good” viewing area is concerned, a large dome of high pressure centered over the Ohio River Valley will bring nice weather for much of the Midwest, including Pennsylvania, New York, extending east to the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Jersey, the New York Metropolitan Area, and much of Southern New England. Generally clear skies should prevail across much of the Northern Plains and south through the Rocky Mountains from Montana to much of Utah. Clear skies should also be the rule for much of southern California, southern and eastern Nevada, and Arizona.
Related: Night sky, December 2023: What you can see tonight [maps]
Terrible viewing prospects
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Unfortunately, there will be places where you won’t be able to see any of the fireworks in December. clouds and precipitation. “Poor” viewing conditions are expected in the Far West. The Pacific’s move inland over northern California will bring a thick blanket of low clouds, light rain and spotty areas over Washington State and the western half of Oregon, as well as parts of northern California.
In addition, a storm system south of New Mexico will bring widespread cloud cover to much of Texas, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, as well as much of Kansas and Nebraska. Varying amounts of “hydro meteors” (rain) are expected to fall on these areas; Snow accumulations of up to 4 inches are expected in upland areas of New Mexico and Colorado.
Westerly winds blowing over Lakes Huron and Ontario may create cloud cover that could bring snow showers across parts of Michigan, northern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania.
And finally, a stationary frontal area extending across the Gulf of Mexico into southern Florida is expected to bring significant cloud cover to the Gulf Coast and Florida Peninsula. South Florida will also deal with scattered showers.
Elsewhere: “Don’t watch like this”
Sky conditions across the rest of the country are classified as “moderate”. Only partly cloudy skies are expected for these areas – or the night may start cloudy, but the trend will be for conditions to clear after midnight (or vice versa; a clear start to the night may lead to increased clouds). Check our map again.
Pack it up!
Those in preferred areas for viewing should be sure to gather, as overnight temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. One of the disadvantages Geminid meteor shower potential viewers are often exposed to lying on their backs for long periods of time in below-freezing temperatures. Such a situation distracts from viewing one of the brightest, most reliable and most productive annuals of the year. meteor shower.
To get the latest weather forecasts tailored to your hometown, Check the National Weather Service website.
Here you will find links to National Weather Service Forecast Offices in the United States as well as Puerto Rico and American Samoa. Just find your area and click on the weather office closest to your location; You will be able to get the latest weather view. (You can also watch the Gemini series virtually this evening. via Slooh Online Observatory webcast.)
It’s bad in 2024. . . Better in 2025
For those who will miss this year’s Geminids due to bad weather, we normally say: “Wait until next year.” Unfortunately, we can’t even say that. one in 2024 full moon It will occur on December 15, just one day after the showers peak. This means the sky will be lit by moonlight throughout the night, possibly obscuring all but the brightest “Gems”. But in 2025 it will be much better if Gemini coincides with the waning crescent.
Joe Rao is an instructor and visiting professor in New York Hayden Planetarium. writes about astronomy for Natural HistoryR.magazine, Farmer’s Almanac and other publications.
Editor’s Note: If you capture a great photo of the Geminid meteor shower that you’d like to share with Space.com and our news partners for a story or image gallery, send images and comments to: spacephotos@space.com.